Lessons in Liberty by W. M. Healey

Pacific Press Publishing Association · Mountain View, California · Jan 17, 1911

Lessons in Liberty

By W. M. Healey

III. Equality Before God

HE extent of Adam's dominion is given in Gen. 1:26: "And God said, Let Us make man in Our image, after Our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth."

It was the duty of Adam to obey and serve God; and upon this requirement rested the continuance of his kingdom over the earth and the living creatures on the earth.

No authority was given to Adam to compel others to worship God. Adam and Eve were not obliged to go together to sin. Each had the power of choice, and was held responsible for the use of that power. After sin Adam tried to shift the responsibility of his acts upon Eve, and she in turn blamed the serpent for what she had done; but God held each to account for their action toward Him.

"Who art thou that judgest another man's servant? to his own Master he standeth or falleth." Rom. 14:4. And that Master is not some other man, but Christ. "But be not ye called rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren." Matt. 23:8.

God never changes. "I am the Lord, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed." Mal. 3:6. The same unchangeable character belongs to Christ—"Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and forever." Heb. 13:8.

There has been no change in God or Christ, therefore there can be no change in Their kingdom. Christ came and died, not to establish a new kingdom, but to make it possible for man to be brought back into "the everlasting kingdom."

All nations stand alike before the Lord, all being of one blood. "And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation; that they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after Him, and find Him, tho He be not far from every one of us." Acts 17:26, 27.

Nationality or position does not give any advantage in the kingdom. "There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus." Gal. 3:28.

Every one must be judged for his own deeds at the judgment-seat of Christ. "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.

The kingdom is the Lord's. The power belongs to Him. We are all products of His creation, made of one blood, and all counted on an equality, each to render to Him his individual account; and from Him the faithful will receive their individual reward. Then by what power does one man or one set of men set themselves up to define another man's duty to God, and make rules and penalties to inflict upon him?

In any court of justice or board of arbitration there must be equal authority over all parties interested in the case, else there could be no assurance of justice. If there were no authority to compel both parties to abide by the decision, nothing could be depended upon.

If man could compel me to do something that God desired me to do, like the keeping of the Sabbath, what gain would there be in it to me? They have no authority to compel God to do anything for me in return.

If God had intended for man to rule over his fellow man in matters of worship, He certainly would have given that power to Adam, who was the first man, and free from sin. He certainly would not have passed him by, and then placed the power in the hand of sinful men.

Cain was the first man who tried to enforce his religion upon his fellow man. Abel worshiped God, and offered sacrifice to Him. Cain also went forth to worship, and offered sacrifice; and because Abel did not worship in his way, he slew him.

Cain was the prime minister for the new kingdom which was being established from the ruins of Adam's dominion. The same evils exist to-day, and the same spirit prompts the same work, tho many people may give their influence to it that do not know what they are doing.

John was zealous for his Lord; and when he saw that the Samaritans would not give Him entertainment, because He was going up to Jerusalem to worship, he asked if fire should be called down from heaven to destroy them, because of their difference in worship. Christ replied, "Ye know not what spirit ye are of."

Many to-day who are zealous for Sunday and other laws to enforce their religious views upon others, are like John, they know not the spirit that is prompting and urging forward all work of this kind.

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