GENERAL CONFERENCE.
BATTLE CREEK, MICH., 1891.
BIBLE STUDY.
LETTER TO THE ROMANS
BY ELDER E. J. WAGGONER
Justification is the law incarnate in Christ, put into the man.
Chap. 4:1-3. (What shall we say then that Abraham our father, as pertaining to the flesh, hath found? For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory;
but not before God. For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.) If a man could do a deed meriting the approval of Heaven,
he could boast to that extent. But no flesh will ever be able to glory
in God's presence. 1 Cor. 1:27-29 (But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: That no flesh should glory in his presence.).
There is no believer in Christ who would dare go before the judgment
with the deeds of any day, demanding an equivalent, and risking his case
on the works.
Abraham's faith was counted to him for
righteousness (Verse 5 But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.).
The forgiveness of sins
--is not simply a book
transaction, a wiping out of past accounts.
--It has a vital relation to
the man himself.
--It is not a temporary work.
--Christ gives his
righteousness, takes away the sin, and leaves his righteousness there,
and that makes a radical change in the man.
--No man can do any works that would stand in the judgment for a moment.
*Not only can we not work out the inheritance
ourselves, but just in 
so far as we attempt it we are putting ourselves
further from the inheritance; "because the law worketh wrath." Verse
15. If the inheritance is by works, it is not by promise. Yet it is for
the righteous only, and righteousness is obedience to the law. In other
words, we have perfect obedience to the law which doesn't spring from
obedience. Chap. 3:21. This is a paradox.
The whole gospel is contrary to human reason; it is infinitely above reason. Yet it is reasonable with God.
The gospel brings to view an inheritance.
