Jim, good food for thought!  It seems to me that Paul is saying that he (we) cannot really know ourselves, our true motives behind our actions, where our thoughts are really coming from, etc.  He seems to be saying that this is no excuse, just because we don't understand it doesn't make it ok, but try as hard as we want and we still cannot make ourselves be truly honest with who we are, we are blind to things concerning the inward things of us.  God's judgment on the other hand, shines His light on the truth and reveals to us just what is truly going on inside.  We can either deny what we now see, feel condemned or guilty about it, or we can see it with thankful eyes and hearts as the love of God not leaving us where we are but bringing is into a new understand of who we are and Who He is to us and in us.  What He is showing is just another understanding of how and what He has made new in us through our union with Christ.   This light from God (judgment) is not something to run and hide from, but something to embrace as the love of God in action in our lives.   It is very interesting that this was just one of the things that came up yesterday as I was talking with my sister, we are going through the letter to the Galatians, and even though very often we see things quite differently, He so often shows me things that I'm might not see any other way.  I love the way our Father uses all things to encourage each of us so we can pass it along to encourage other brothers and sisters in Christ.

i am so very thankful that HIS judgment and examination is not according to man's wisdom, outward appearance or 'sin'.  HIS judgment and examination toward and concerning those who are in HIM (New Creations) is based solely upon Christ and what HE has made worthy and acceptable.  this is because of HIS nature of Love and all that HE IS, and all that HE brought about through Jesus Christ.  the judgment of GOD toward man and sin was met in, through, and by HIS Son.  :)

i love how our judgment and examination by the Father is all the same!  it is based and sourced from the Son!  :)  He is our fearless judgment and examination  … there is no more condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus … there should be none between us/one another, for HE holds none/nothing against us.  :)

looking so forward for you to continue and expound and share MORE MORE MORE!  :)

“…through Christ, fear of God’s scrutiny is unfounded. I’m not suggesting that God doesn’t examine us anymore, I’m saying that we have no reason to be afraid of what He might turn up in the process.� <~theshovel

yeah, i know what you mean about GOD's scrutiny being feared.  when we are still viewing ourselves and/or one another as those who have NOT been made NEW, we will constantly look for, point out and 'be aware' of each other's weaknesses, 'sins', and what have you.  GOD, on the other hand, no longer sees those things, but sees only the New Creation HE has made.  :)  it is a smothering bondage to constantly watch, observe and scrutinize our selves and each other from the same 'view' as the world.  looking for, witch-hunting, seeking after, etc. that which is no longer ours to 'scrutinize' will never disappoint!  there will ALWAYS be found something to 'point out' (in 'christian love' of course) that makes us inferior, lacking, shameful, needful of 'working on', dot dot dot … fill in the blank.  as if we don't do that to our selves enough on a daily basis.  we, our families, relatives, friends, employers, peers, neighbors dot dot dot … you name it … are FULL to OVER-flowing with plenty of endless, painful, separating scrutiny.  it is the bound nature of human 'life' on planet earth.  what meaningful, lasting, living hope is there to be found in any of it? 

thank GOD that kind of scrutiny is not the same scrutiny we are to fear from the FATHER!  it is a NEW Creation matter and a NEW relationship we have been brought into with, through and by Christ, and a NEW relationship that we have and share in and with one another.  :)  if only we could have that 'view' at all times without distraction!  sighhh ….