Christianity by Charles P. Whitford

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D. C. · Jun 20, 1912

Christianity

By Charles P. Whitford

CHARLES P. WHITFORD

CHRISTIANITY is not designed to force men to do right. Christianity changes the heart so the desire to do wrong is taken away. The man who says he wants to keep the Sabbath, and needs to have a law enacted by the state to prevent him from reading the secular newspapers upon the Sabbath, has no love for the Sabbath. The man who wants to steal, and needs to have his hands tied to prevent him from stealing, has never been converted.

I once heard a man say, “If it were not for the fine, I would be a pretty bad man.” Trying to be a good man simply to keep from being fined, is acting from a principle of selfishness. But the principle of selfishness is directly opposed to the principles of Christianity. “God is love” (1 John 4:8), and love “seeketh not her own.” 1 Cor. 13:5.

Doing right simply because we wish to be saved, is contrary to the spirit and character of God. Outward observance of the law of God to save self will result in destruction at last. “Love is the fulfilling of the law.” Rom. 13:10.

“Harken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him?” James 2:5. Do we love him? If so, we are heirs of the kingdom.

Orlando, Fla.