Thursday, October 7, 2021

General Conference 1891 Study of Romans SERIES: 6

 GENERAL CONFERENCE.

BATTLE CREEK, MICH.,  1891.

BIBLE STUDY.

LETTER TO THE ROMANS

BY ELDER E. J.  WAGGONER


In the fourth chapter of the book of Romans we have faith in a

concrete form. The narrative of the lives of Abraham and Sarai in connection with the birth of Isaac, furnishes a practical example of justification by faith.

Abraham was not justified by works; but he believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness. 

Abraham received the seal of circumcision. 
Q: Why? 
A: To cause him to believe? No, but because he had believed. It was a seal of the righteousness which he had by believing. ......it was a  
covenant of righteousness
sealed by a seal of righteousness,
and the inheritance was to be a righteous inheritance, which none but the righteous can gain. Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. 2 Pet. 3:13.
 
Twenty-five years elapsed from the time the promise was made until it was fulfilled. "Abraham staggered not at the promise of God," but Sarai did, and "Abraham hearkened unto the voice of Sarai." She undertook to help the Lord to carry out His plan. But Hagar was a slave, and her child could be nothing but a slave, born after the flesh. 
 
The seed promised Abraham were to be free men, not slaves,
therefore nothing was gained by this plan of Sarai's.
 The time came when Sarai realized that the only thing for her to do was to believe that God was able to carry out his promise without her help. Then, "through faith" she "received strength to conceive seed." The birth of Isaac was a miracle. From a human standpoint it was utterly impossible for Abraham and Sarai to become the parents of a child.  She conceived by the power of God.
 
When men are content to believe God, and submit themselves to him, there is power in his promises to work out their righteousness for them, without any power of their own. 
Q: How are men made righteous, or partakers of the divine nature?
A:Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakes of the divine nature." 
The power lies in the promise of God. 
Q: How can we make the promises effectual to us?
A: By believing them. "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
 
By and by, God will come and say, "Gather My saints together unto me; those that have made a covenant with me by sacrifice." Christ is the sacrifice here referred to. It is through him we come. He is the surety of the covenant.
 
Confess your sins, believe that God forgives them as he has promised; and the promise is yours, your sins are forgiven.