How Will God Judge People?
God is a fair judge (Psalm 7:11). He will not judge people that didn’t know the truth (Psalms 87:4, 6; Ezekiel 3:18–21; 18:2–32; 33:12–20; Luke 23:34; John 15:22; Romans 7:7, 9; 1 Timothy 1:13). But when the light of truth shines into the heart’s of men and they reject it, they will be condemned. Jesus said, “If I had not come and spoken to them, they would have no sin, but now they have no excuse for their sin” (John 15:22).
Also, in the judgment, humans will be condemned not just because they have been in the wrong but because they have ignored the heaven-sent opportunities for knowing the truth. The Lord provided all knowledge possible to save mankind (John 3:16). What greater revelation of Himself could He have given?
Therefore, they will perish because they didn’t try to learn about the One who is “the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6). “Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin” (James 4:17). This is said of those who avoid further study of Scriptures because further knowledge would increase their personal responsibility.
The Lord has never willed that some be lost (John 3:18), but because some have desired darkness more than light, they will be judged. This shows the expected result of the fact that “the wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23). Every man’s destiny will be determined by his own response to the truth.
The sad truth is that sin in itself blinds the hearts so that men don’t have the wish to learn the truth and instead prefer darkness. Paul wrote, “whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of the Creator, should shine on them” (2 Corinthians 4:4). Therefore, it is essential that believers don’t get entangled by sin lest it blurs their spiritual senses and hardens their hearts (John 12:40).
But for those that seek to know the truth, Jesus promised: First, that He will wink at the times of their ignorance of Him (Acts 17:30). Second, that they “shall not walk in darkness” (John 8:12). Third, that no one shall be able to “pluck” them out of His Mighty hand (John 10:28). And fourth, that they will not be “hurt” by the second death (Revelation 2:11; 20:6).
In His service,
BibleAsk Team
