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Of Faith or Works

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Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D. C. · Oct 31, 1912

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 89, No. 44.

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Of Faith or Works

By H. H. VOTAW

H. H. VOTAW
Abram’s attempt to fulfil God’s promise by the works of the flesh was typical of all who depend upon works for salvation. From his union with Hagar, Ishmael was born, a child of the works of the flesh. When Abraham “believed God,” Isaac was born, a child of faith. The command was given, “Cast out the bondwoman and her son: for the son of the bondwoman shall not be heir with the son of the freewoman.” Gal. 4:30.
In a word is the gospel comprehended,—it is faith. Faith, not works, gives life. By faith there came from “one . . . as good as dead,” a child,—a new life. By faith there comes to us, though we are “dead in trespasses and sins,” a new life. “We, brethren, as Isaac was, are the children of promise.” Gal. 4:28.
Christians are the spiritual descendants of Isaac. Mohammedans are the spiritual descendants of Ishmael. There was a vital difference between the attitude of mind which Abram held when Ishmael was conceived and the one that was his when Isaac was born. There is the same vital difference between Christianity and Islam to-day. The Christian knows that the kingdom of God is to be set up soon. He also knows that the weapons of his “warfare are not carnal.” He knows that the Spirit ofGod is to accomplish the work. The Moslem also believes that soon God will establish his kingdom. But he relies upon the works of the flesh. To-day, he places his confidence in the very same means that Abram used.
Again and again, as I have talked with Mohammedans, they have said to me: “Your religion allows you to have but one wife. Ours permits us to have four. It stands to reason that four women can bear more children than one can. Therefore we are sure to multiply more rapidly than Christians do. When we come to Armageddon, we are sure to outnumber you, and of course will conquer you. True, we are not strong enough at present, but the great battle will be delayed until we have gained enough in numbers to win.”
How glorious is the assurance that “we are not children of the bondwoman, but of the free,” and that “Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all.”
Kemmendine, Burma.