GODLINESS CAN NEVER BE OF COMPULSION
By W. A. Spicer
MUCH has been said of a millennial dawn, of an age of "second probation," when the wicked of the present and past ages are to have another chance, apparently. We are told that the wicked are to come forth in the resurrection with "the same wicked desires," yet they are not permitted to do wrong. "The only liberty that will be granted is the liberty to do right." This theory is certainly based upon a strangely perverted view of what godliness and salvation really are. It proceeds upon the supposition that goodness, or godliness, can be forced upon men; that evil can be made to bring forth that which is good. IT DENIES CHRIST'S TEACHING
This is a denial of Christ's teaching regarding the nature of goodness: "Every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree can not bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit." Matt. 7: 17, 18. It is not merely because He has chosen some other way of salvation, that the Lord does not compel men to godliness. It is because He can not do it; for even God "can not deny Himself." 2 Tim. 2: 13. Godliness is God-likeness. The Lord is not good and righteous because He is compelled to be. It is His nature. And no righteousness, or godliness, can ever come of compulsion. It can never be forced from an evil nature. Salvation is a change of heart, the free gift of the new heart created in Christ Jesus. The theory of mechanical and compulsory righteousness subverts the fundamental principle of the gospel.