The one kind of judging that is used by almost all people, is to judge according to the flesh, according to what they are thinking and conjecturing. Concerning this kind of judging Jesus says, “Judge not!” Why not? Because it would always be too severe; in other words, it would be unjust or ungodly! Concerning the true and decidedly just and useful judgment which is of true help unto salvation for us, it says, “And this is the judgment, that the light has come into the world . . . .” John 3:19. Our calling is to let the light shine with this one, noble aim: that we can increasingly receive more light so we can judge and desist from more of our unconscious sin, which the apostle Paul calls deeds of the body (Rom. 8:13); in other words, that we can partake of more sanctification. When we defend and excuse ourselves instead of judging ourselves, we lose out on sanctification. Then we push any further salvation away from us—the salvation that is offered to us by the light. This is obviously abominable in God’s eyes! “For if we would judge ourselves [that is, when the light shines], we would not be judged [because then the matter is taken care of]. But when we are judged, we are chastened by the Lord [He who is Light and Truth], that we may not be condemned with the world.” 1 Cor. 11:31-32. Resisting or rejecting the light or the truth is so extremely serious, because then you can be condemned and rejected together with the world! Blessed is everyone who receives the light, that is, the judgment! “But he who is spiritual judges [assesses, examines] all things, yet he himself is rightly judged [assessed, examined] by no one.” 1 Cor. 2:15. In the church of the Corinthians (which had come into being through Paul’s labors) there was not a single spiritual person in spite of everything they had received and experienced. You become spiritual solely by abundantly receiving the true light of the Word over a longer period of time, by judging yourself and by being transformed in your inner man in all areas so that you can truly and unfailingly judge everything spiritually without being influenced by anything that is human—whether it is human feelings or human reasoning or any kind of human honor. Put in different words: by unfailingly and unalterably following (living by) the laws of the Spirit of life; by not seeking your own in any way! This was the testimony that Timothy received. Not only does a spiritual person conduct himself like this, but the other side of the matter is that no one is able to judge him. How wise it is, then, to abstain from judging, for the simple reason that I am not capable of it. Jesus said, “You judge according to the flesh; I judge no one.” John 8:15. In this respect, spiritual people have the same mindset that Jesus had. People are judged by the same light of life that always shines from them for their salvation and benefit. It is the light that judges; it is not those who let the light shine instead of placing it under a basket. The light always shines impartially; it is alike for all those who are present. A spiritual person is not aiming at an individual or at certain ones. He is not out to “get” someone, but to help all of them!!! Then it becomes each individual person’s crucial task voluntarily, of his own accord, to receive as much light as possible in order to judge and abstain as much as possible and as soon as possible from everything that is not in agreement with the true light of the Word! Not liking these judgments is synonymous with not liking salvation! Then the person has misunderstood the entire work of salvation! His understanding of life is completely wrong! May these words give you the correct understanding of life for the rest of your life, and strengthen that understanding if you already possess it!Your brother who loves you— Elias Aslaksen