James 4:12 KJV
[12] “There is one lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy: who art thou that judgest another?”
We have no right to judge people by our standards because our standards are good for nothing. The standard of man could never measure up to the standard of God. Therefore, we must remember that He is the author and judge of the Bible. God is the lawgiver, and He is the judge of this earth. When we stand before Him, the question that will make the difference is, “Do you know the Judge?” Do you have a personal relationship with Him? Is He your Lord and Master? Is Jesus Christ your Savior?
Our verse clearly states that He is the One who can save and destroy. He has given man life and sent His Son to redeem man’s life. He is able to give man eternal life if he will accept His salvation. If man refuses, He will have no choice but to condemn him to the lake of fire one day and destroy his life. The Judgment Seat of Christ is for those who are saved, and the Great White Throne Judgment is for those who will be destroyed.
Dear reader, evaluate your own soul. Are you ready to face God in eternity? Every believer must be cautious as to how we judge people. We are to make judgments based upon the Scriptures, but we are not to develop a judgmental attitude toward others. Christians are to show mercy and compassion upon those with whom we come in contact. We are to remember the mercy that we received. May God help us to remember that we will all stand before the Judge one day and give an account of ourselves. We are all going to need mercy on that day. Lord, help us reflect the kind of mercy we want the Judge of eternity to bestow on us. Again I ask you, “Do you know the Judge?”