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OUR RECKONED JUSTIFICATION AND ITS VALUE

While we walk now entirely by faith, and have no actual realization of the blessings promised through the redemption, it may be difficult for some to realize the full value of that which they now possess by faith. As the result of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, we have redemption and remission of sins. That is, we are redeemed or purchased from under the penalty of sin—death, and all our sins are canceled, and are no longer counted against us. Thus we, who accept of this, God’s arrangement for our release, have a clear title to lasting life as human beings. If not again forfeited, it is ours to all eternity; and with it will come all the blessings of perfect health, and everything which can conduce to perfect happiness. But we by no means enjoy any part of that inheritance now; it is all in the future, and at present we hold only our title to it. But the title is good; it has been thoroughly examined, and no claims can possibly be brought against it. It is as sure as though we were now in actual possession of it. This title is secured to us by the oath and covenant of God; and it will pass current in the bank of heaven at any time. God tells us that if we have full confidence in it, within a specified time (the Gospel Age), it can be exchanged for another—a title to a nature and glory grander even than the perfect human nature, namely, the divine nature; that we may be joint-heirs with his only begotten Son. We receive the title to this divine, spiritual inheritance, in exchange for the former title to the human inheritance. Yet the whole transaction is by faith. As yet we have not the actual possession of either.

Those who have made this transaction are told to reckon themselves now, as “new creatures,” partakers of the divine nature. Though as yet we are actually human, our human nature must soon terminate in death, after which our title to the new nature will be made good. How wonderful are the ways of God. How little the world dreams that God is so surely and silently working out his deep designs. But those who realize it by full and implicit faith, built upon the exceeding great and precious promises, rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory. Those who now hold this new title to the divine nature, have of course relinquished all former claims to the perfect human nature. All that earthly, human title passed from them when they exchanged it for the title to the new nature. The right to a restitution to human perfection was therefore given up forever by the consecrated ones, who have received the spirit of adoption to the spiritual nature. Whosoever, therefore, of this class, shall seek to save his human life, shall lose life—the spiritual life, which is all he now holds a title to. But whosoever, according to his covenant, shall lose, willingly sacrifice his life for the Lord’s sake, shall find it.—Luke 17:33.

Let all who have it, hold on to the new title by faith and patience firm unto the end. MRS. C. T. R.

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— June, 1886 —