Judgment is a sorting process. God separates the good from the evil by examination, trial, and decree. The key thought to remember is “separation”. The Greek verb krino (kreeno) means “to separate or make a distinction; to judge, to exercise a judgment upon; to try as Judge, bring to trial, to sentence; to determine or decide.” Closely related is the Latin verb cerno, found in such English words as “discern.” It means to sunder or divide, speaking of a sieve which separates.
God does not judge in the same way our earthly courts do, by examining the evidence, hearing arguments on both sides, and then rendering a verdict. The processes of examination required in earthly courts are unnecessary with God. God has no need to ascertain guilt or merit because He already knows all things. God has perfect and complete knowledge of all man’s thoughts, words, and deeds. He also understands all our motives or reasons for doing what we do. For this reason, no argument, jury, or testimony is needed.
Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do (Hebrews 4:13).
Hell and destruction are before the LORD: how much more then the hearts of the children of men (Proverbs 15:11).
All judgment will be determined by the nature of God and the truth of the situation being judged. All His judgments will be:
- righteous or right (Psalm 96:13);
- impartial, that is, without favoritism (Romans 2:11);
- true and accurate (Revelation 19:2);
- just rather than arbitrary (Revelation 20:12);
- thorough (Matthew 12:36);
- on the basis of the gospel (Romans 2:16).