He (God) need not further consider a man, that he should go before God in judgment. He breaks in pieces mighty men without inquiry, and sets others in their place. … He knows their works.
Job 34: 23-25.
It is a favourite practice of the media to publicize their interviews with people suspected of various misdemeanours. This procedure is frequently the beginning of judicial proceedings which may last a long time before a decision is reached as to whether to take legal action or not.
Who would not be alarmed at being brought before a judge, even if he thought himself able to clear himself? Just suppose all our actions were to be brought to light!
This is, however, the situation of each of us before God, the supreme Judge. “All things are naked and open to the eyes of him to whom we must give account” (Hebrews 4:13).
God does not need any inquest, witnesses, proofs or incriminating evidence, the absence of which might enable the guilty to escape the consequences. He has a thorough knowledge of everything and judges without having to deliberate beforehand.
If “the sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily” (Ecclesiastes 8:11), it is because God “is long-suffering …, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9).
“He who believes in him is not condemned, but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God” (John 3:18).