p. 7 | LET EVERY MAN by F. H. Tripp

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Sep 16, 1897

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 23, No. 36.

“LET EVERY MAN.”

By F. H. Tripp

“One man esteemeth one day above another; another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind.” Rom. 14:5. This text is quoted more frequently by those opposed to the Bible Sabbath than any other one in the Scriptures, and it is always quoted in a way to give the hearer to understand that he has no right to interfere with any other man’s religious belief.

Well, that is all right. We fully agree with it; but are the men who pervert this scripture as consistent as they claim to be? Do they not rather seek to turn men away from the truth in every possible way, and, while quoting the above text, strive to hinder men from being persuaded?

Another text often quoted, and that fully agrees with the above, is this: “Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holy day, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days.” Col. 2:16. While saying, “Let no man therefore judge you,” it seems to me that some men do judge, and that very severely. Our Saviour said, “If any man hear my words, and believe not, I judge him not; for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world.” John 12:47. This he said of his first advent into this world. When he comes the second time, it will be to judgment: “And before him shall be gathered all nations, and he shall separate them one from another.” Matt. 25:31–46. Here is vividly portrayed the great judgment scene.

In perfect accord with this, Paul says, “For we must all appear before the judgment-seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things

done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.” 2 Cor. 5:10. “Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts.” 1 Cor. 4:5. “But why dost thou judge thy brother or why dost thou set at naught thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment-seat of Christ.” Rom. 14:10.

What will be the rule in that judgment? what the standard by which men will be judged? In this world the standard of judgment is the law of the land. When men who have violated the law are brought to trial, they are judged by the law. So men who have broken God’s law must be judged by the same law which they have violated, as it is written, “As many as have sinned without law shall also perish without law; and as many as have sinned in the law [knowing the law] shall be judged by the law.” When?—“In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my Gospel.” Rom. 2:12, 16.

We are told in 1 John 3:4 that “sin is the transgression of the law!” and, according to the foregoing texts, men are to be judged by the law. How important, then, that every man should be let, or allowed, to “be fully persuaded in his own mind,” and that no other man should judge him, or tell him it makes no difference whether he keeps God’s law or not! For that is really what is said by many in regard to the fourth commandment. God says, “The seventh day,” men say, “It makes no difference which day.” Whom shall we believe, God or man?

F. H. TRIPP.

New Bedford, Mass.