“So they read in the book in the law of God distinctly, and gave the sense, and caused them to understand the reading.” —Neh. 8:8
LESSON IX.—SABBATH, NOVEMBER 30, 1895.
FORCE NOT A GOSPEL MEANS OF LABOR.
1. How is the work of God in saving men carried on in the earth?
“Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the Lord unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, saith the Lord of hosts.” Zech. 4:6.
2. How are men’s hearts purified?
“And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as he did unto us; and put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith.” Acts 15:8, 9.
3. How does Christ dwell in the heart?
“That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith.” Eph. 3:17.
4. Can faith be forced, or is it a voluntary act?
Faith is the gift of God, but it is ours to exercise. God leaves it optional with us whether we will use the faith he gives. All the powers of earth have not sufficient power to force a single soul to believe anything. If one believes it must be through force of conviction from accepting certain testimony, and not by outward constraint. Faith is voluntary. Its foundation is the word of God (Rom. 10:17); but no one can, by force, compel another to believe the Bible (John 7:17, R. V.).
“Where legal enactment begins, moral suasion ends.”—Christian Union.
“You must recollect that you can’t make people good or religious by act of Parliament.”—Sir George Dibbs, Ex-Premier of New South Wales.
5. Does God ever attempt to force men to believe?
“And 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. See note .
6. What does Paul say of the weapons of the Christian’s warfare?
“For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: for the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds.” 2 Cor. 10:3, 4.
7. What is the only sword he mentions in enumerating the “whole armor of God”? Ans.—“The sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” See Eph. 6:13–17.
8. What does he say of its power?
“For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” Heb. 4:12.
9. What were Luther’s views on this subject?
The views of Luther on the subject of using force in religious work are clearly set forth in the following words:—
“It is with the word we must contend, and by the word we must refute and expel what has gained a footing by violence. I would not resort to force against such as are superstitious, nor even against unbelievers. Whosoever believeth let him draw nigh, and whoso believeth not, stand afar off. Let there be no compulsion. Liberty is of the very essence of faith.”
10. What reason did Christ give for his servants not fighting in his behalf?
“Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now is my kingdom not from hence.” John 18:36.
11. When Peter attempted to defend his Master with a sword, what did Christ say to him?
“Then said Jesus unto him, Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword.” Matt. 26:52.
12. When two of Christ’s disciples desired to use forcible means against certain Samaritans who “did not receive him,” how did he rebuke them?
“And they did not receive him, because his face was as though he would go to Jerusalem. And when his disciples James and John saw this, they said, Lord, wilt thou that we command fire to come down from heaven, and consume them, even as Elias did? But he turned, and rebuked them, and said, Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of. For the Son of man is not come to destroy men’s lives, but to save them. And they went to another village.” See Luke 9:51–56.
13. To whom does vengeance belong?
“Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.” Rom. 12:19. See note .14
14. What kind of worshipers does the Lord seek?
“But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshipers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.” John 4:23, 24.
15. What did the Saviour say of his attitude toward those who refused to believe his word?
See text to question 5.
16. What course does he pursue with every soul?
“Behold, I stand at the door, and knock; if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.” Rev. 3:20.
“And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.” John 12:32. See note .
17. What course does he forbid among his disciples?
“And he said unto them, The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and they that exercise authority upon them are called benefactors. But ye shall not be so: but he that is greatest among you, let him be as the younger; and he that is chief, as he that doth serve.” Luke 22:25, 26. See also Matt. 20:25, 26.
18. What scriptural expressions indicate proper methods of Gospel work? Ans.—“Go ye into all the world, and preach the Gospel” (Mark 16:15); “I entreat thee” (Phil. 4:3); “We persuade men” (2 Cor. 5:11); “We pray you” (verse 20); “I beseech you” (Rom. 12:1); “Whosoever will, let him take of the water of life” (Rev. 22:17).
19. How is the servant of the Lord to labor for the erring?
“And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient; in meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; and that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.” 2 Tim. 2:24–26.
20. In seeking to convert men, how does God appeal to them?
“Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.” Isa. 1:18. See note .
