On the judgment day, the Lord will judge everyone fairly, but not identically. He will take various factors into account. Here are at least some of them:
What Dispensation Were You Under?
For as many as have sinned without law will also perish without law, and as many as have sinned in the law will be judged by the law (Rom. 2:12)
Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent (Ac. 17:30)
What Did You Know?
And that servant who knew his master’s will, and did not prepare himself or do according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes. But he who did not know, yet committed things deserving of stripes, shall be beaten with few. For everyone to whom much is given, from him much will be required; and to whom much has been committed, of him they will ask the more. (Lk. 12:47-48)
What Opportunities Did You Have?
Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the mighty works which were done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. But I say to you, it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon in the day of judgment than for you. And you, Capernaum, who are exalted to heaven, will be brought down to Hades; for if the mighty works which were done in you had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. But I say to you that it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment than for you. (Mt. 11:21-24)
Were You Merciful?
So speak and so do as those who will be judged by the law of liberty. For judgment is without mercy to the one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment. (Jas. 2:12-13)
Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy. (Mt. 5:7)
Were You a Teacher of His Word?
My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment. (Jas. 3:1)
