Liberty-Choice | AdventAI

Pacific Press Publishing Association · Mountain View, California · Jun 30, 1909

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 36, No. 25.

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Liberty—Choice

1. What is the Gospel invitation?

“If any man would come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.” Matt. 16:24.

2. How is this received by many?

“Ye will not come to Me, that ye may have life.” John 5:40.

3. How is this rejection treated by Christ?

“Think not that I will accuse you to the Father.” John 5:45.

“If any man hear My sayings, and keep them not, I judge him not: for I am not come to judge the world, but to save the world.” John 12:47.

4. How does God Himself treat the offender?

“As they refused to have God in their knowledge, God gave them up to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not fitting.” Rom. 1:28.

5. What can be said of the man who pronounces judgment upon a sinner?

“Wherefore thou art without excuse, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest.” Rom. 2:1.

6. By what is every man judged?

“There is one that accuseth you, even Moses”—through the law. John 5:45.

“He that rejecteth Me, and receiveth not My sayings, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I spake [the law, through Moses], the same shall judge him in the last day.” John 12:48.

NOTE.—The fact that God never uses compulsion in His dealings with man has been demonstrated through all ages. Man in the Garden chose his own course of his own free will, knowing the command of God and the result of both courses. Noah preached a message of salvation to the antediluvians; all who accepted were saved; all who rejected the message were lost; not one was forced to enter the ark. When Moses led the children of Israel out of Egypt, every one was free to go or stay as he chose; of those who did start to the promised land, thousands through unbelief died by the way—God would not lead them into Canaan against their own wills. The message of the prophets was always of invitation and never of compulsion. Christ’s own way was the same—Come, come, come—“whosoever will, let him come.”

7. Has man any right to judge of one’s relation with his God, or to legislate upon it?

None whatever; the Creator of all is Judge of all; He alone is able to execute judgment. Jesus said, “He that rejecteth Me rejecteth Him that sent Me.” It is not man’s right or duty to interfere.

8. What is the test as to man’s duty to God and to the state?

“Jesus said unto them, Render unto Cæsar the things that are Cæsar’s, and unto God the things that are God’s.” Mark 12:17.