Jesus made this statement to the Pharisees in the treasury of the temple.
"'I do nothing on my own but I speak these things as the Father instructed me.'" John 8:28b (NRSV)
Jesus was making a distinction between how human beings on earth see things and how the Father sees things.
"'The Father judges no one.'" John 5:22a (NRSV)
People on earth believe in natural justice - rewards for good behavior and punishment for bad behavior.
But God punishes no one.
God gives everyone a second chance.
He does not judge us but helps us to grow and progress towards the light.
Even the most heinous criminals are His children and He will not reject them.
"The Lord is not slow about His promise as some think of slowness, but is patient with you, not wanting any to perish." 2 Peter 3:9 (NRSV)
[Scripture quotations (marked NRSV) are taken from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A., and are used by permission. All rights reserved.]
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