RELIGIOUS LIBERTY by J. C. Kastner

Pacific Press Publishing Company · OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA · Nov 14, 1900

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 26, No. 46.

RELIGIOUS LIBERTY.

By J. C. Kastner

LIKE the kingdom of heaven, religious liberty is in us, if anywhere. If it is not in us, we seek it of men; that is, we want somebody else to protect and defend our unbelief. The heathen, the hypocrite, the Judas Iscariot, always wants temporal or ecclesiastical power and authority for the maintenance and propagation of his creed, his aspirations, or his dominion. The followers of Christ seek help and comfort of God. His grace is sufficient to them that believe.

The very kingdom Jesus declined, some seek to utilize for initiating and establishing the kingdom of God. Because many hope to master the impossible, to subjugate the faith of Jesus unto their carnal assumptions and conceits, those that are overcome of them, fear, with their masters, that some other power than God's may despoil them of liberty to worship God as they see fit. Were they not slaves to their own contempt and scorn for our charters, precepts, and example, were they in Christ and Christ in them, they would indeed be free, and never dream of appealing to Pilate, Herod, or high priest for support or tolerance.

Jesus might have conciliated Herod by giving that worthy an answer. But He did not. Christ was free. He had overcome fear of death, fear of men, fear of torture, and all Satan could heap on Him. Thus He revealed the mockery of human justice, the folly of human aspirations, and the unutterable emptiness of human dominion.

Now the simple fact is, it is sin to fear aught but God. It is traitorous to our only Saviour to seek aid or comfort or authority not of Him. Let no sane person expect that our Lord will hear his prayer while he depends on His enemies for succor.

Let the blind lead the blind. Let them compass land and sea, and make all nations tributary to their authority. There is no divine promise that those who love a lie shall not be deceived. On the contrary, the mark of the beast will be found in the forehead and in the hand of any one trusting in its protection.

Paul says, "All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient." True liberty of conscience is only found in obedience to the Holy Spirit, and never in servitude of what is carnal. All the government of the world, army, and navy can not insure a life one hour. Neither death nor hell respect human authority, nor can all science and mortal ingenuity make a blade of grass grow.

If the love of God prolongs days for repentance, let no man imagine that we are not responsible for every hour at our disposal; for our liberty in Christ is of a nature that requires constant watchfulness and earnest prayer, lest we sin against a dispensation of divine love given for our schooling in the only life worthy of eternal continuance.

It is needless to state that with cessation of this dispensation—which may end to us tomorrow—the world will end, and judgment is at our door. Left to their own resources, men will succeed in making earth what it would be now but for the grace of God. Yet blessed is he who is called to suffer and share our Saviour's reproach and death. For what men can deprive us of, can not inherit life everlasting.

J. C. KASTNER.