SALVATION NOT COMPULSORY.
By W. N. G.
The Lord can compel men to do His will. He compelled Balaam to bless Israel, altho the prophet wanted to curse them. He compelled Judah, Edom, Moab, Ammon, Tyrus, Zidon, and others to submit to the yoke of Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon. But those who submit to God by compulsion receive no spiritual blessing in consequence. Spiritual blessings have followed discipline, but not unless the heart was “exercised thereby” unto repentance and voluntary seeking after God. The Holy Spirit is given only to those who ask it, and who ask in faith, “nothing wavering.” The water of life is for “whosoever will” come to Christ and receive it. “This is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in His Son.” 1 John 5:11. Therefore we must voluntarily accept the Son in order to secure the eternal life. So all attempts to impart spiritual blessings by compelling men to observe legal enactments of any character, show a lack of knowledge of the first principles of the Gospel. When children are hired to be good, they are apt to “strike” when the pay stops. Just so when men are compelled to make a show of righteousness, they are sure to throw off the mask when the compulsion ceases. That “form of godliness” never reaches the heart. The power of God has compelled the devils to “believe and tremble,” but it gives them no spiritual blessing. Their day of probation, when they could have voluntarily surrendered and become reconciled to God, is past. The Gospel plan is to win men to Christ. “Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as tho God did beseech you by us; we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God.” 2 Cor. 5:20.