As we begin the study of Joshua 2, God is fulfilling his promise to the Israelites as they continue the process of overtaking the promised land. The first city they approach is Jericho which is about 8-10 acres in size and provides a good starting point for their invasion. The main character of our focus today is Rahab, a harlot (prostitute) of the day. As we go thru this story, think about the people we come across in our lives who may be Rahab's of today, drunkards, drug addicts, prostitutes, and other sinners.
This passage with Rahab shows us four points of saving faith.
1. Saving Faith is initiated by God's grace. V.1 tells us that Rahab was a prostitute, someone that many of us would not show grace to if we crossed paths with today. V.15 informs us that her house was built into the city wall. This was convenient for the spies, but indicated that while Rahab may have been "popular", people wanted her kept at a distance. There are also only two women mentioned in Hebrews 11, which is considered the "Saints Hall of Fame", or "Heroes of Faith" chapter of the Bible. One woman mentioned there is Sara, Abraham's wife. She was faithful and remained by her husband's side, and he was one of the most faithful and God-fearing men in the bible. The other woman mentioned in this chapter is Rahab, the harlot of Jericho, a prostitute. It is only by God's grace that a prostitute could be compared to other great examples of faith in the past.
2. Saving Faith is generated by hearing about God. In v.9 Rahab tells the spies "I know that the Lord has given you the land, and that fear has fallen upon us." So we can see that she has heard something about the Lord for her to make this statement. She goes on to tell the spies that the people have a fear of God and we see that it comes from them hearing about the dried up land crossing the Red Sea, and the destruction of the kings of the Amorites (v.10). In v.11 she tells them that her people's hearts had melted because of the Lord. Rahab's faith began by hearing about then having a fear of God. For the unbeliever, a fear of God is the fear of death, judgment, or wrath of God. When we hear about God we feel a conviction which leads to fear. John 16:8 tells us that Jesus will come and "he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment." People with that fear of God need to know of Christ's forgiveness; how willing he is to forgive us for our transgressions if believe in him. So are we doing our part to make sure others hear the Word of God? Romans 10:17 says "So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ." If someone never hears the Word, how can they believe?
3. Saving Faith is demonstrated by good deeds. In vv.3-6 we see that Rahab first lied to the king's men, then hid the spies on the roof under some stalks. For her to have allowed and hidden the spies in her home, it appears she already had a fear of God. She also lied to the king's soldiers about the men's whereabouts, which could have resulted in death, and also demonstrated that her fear of God was greater than her fear of man. Her fear of God forced her into action. The same is true in today's world. We are saved by grace through faith is Jesus Christ, we do not "earn" our way into heaven by our works. James 2:18 addresses this and tells us that we are to show our faith by our works. This is one reason that many non-Christians won't believe in God or the church today. It's because the divorce rate, alcoholism, sexual immorality, and other sins are just as high among "church people" as they among unchurched people. Folks, the world should be able to see a clear difference in Christian lives vs. non-Christian lives and that is exhibited by our external actions.
4. Saving Faith is communicated to those we love. In vv.12-14, Rahab's primary concern was for the safety of her family, literally in this case. When we accept Christ as our Lord and Savior, shouldn't our family be the first people we want to tell about His grace and mercy. Her heart's desire was for her family to be saved from the Israelite army that would be coming in. While our heart's desire should be for the billions of lost people in world and sharing God's Word with them.
God was willing to offer his grace to Rahab, a lowly sinful prostitute. How much more so do you think he is willing and anxious to offer his grace and mercy to you along with the eternal gift of salvation? I pray that I can be more forgiving, understanding, and graceful to people with sin in their past just as Jesus Christ has been with me. Thank you Lord for offering me eternity with you through faith in your son Jesus.
#faith #grace
This passage with Rahab shows us four points of saving faith.
1. Saving Faith is initiated by God's grace. V.1 tells us that Rahab was a prostitute, someone that many of us would not show grace to if we crossed paths with today. V.15 informs us that her house was built into the city wall. This was convenient for the spies, but indicated that while Rahab may have been "popular", people wanted her kept at a distance. There are also only two women mentioned in Hebrews 11, which is considered the "Saints Hall of Fame", or "Heroes of Faith" chapter of the Bible. One woman mentioned there is Sara, Abraham's wife. She was faithful and remained by her husband's side, and he was one of the most faithful and God-fearing men in the bible. The other woman mentioned in this chapter is Rahab, the harlot of Jericho, a prostitute. It is only by God's grace that a prostitute could be compared to other great examples of faith in the past.
2. Saving Faith is generated by hearing about God. In v.9 Rahab tells the spies "I know that the Lord has given you the land, and that fear has fallen upon us." So we can see that she has heard something about the Lord for her to make this statement. She goes on to tell the spies that the people have a fear of God and we see that it comes from them hearing about the dried up land crossing the Red Sea, and the destruction of the kings of the Amorites (v.10). In v.11 she tells them that her people's hearts had melted because of the Lord. Rahab's faith began by hearing about then having a fear of God. For the unbeliever, a fear of God is the fear of death, judgment, or wrath of God. When we hear about God we feel a conviction which leads to fear. John 16:8 tells us that Jesus will come and "he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment." People with that fear of God need to know of Christ's forgiveness; how willing he is to forgive us for our transgressions if believe in him. So are we doing our part to make sure others hear the Word of God? Romans 10:17 says "So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ." If someone never hears the Word, how can they believe?
3. Saving Faith is demonstrated by good deeds. In vv.3-6 we see that Rahab first lied to the king's men, then hid the spies on the roof under some stalks. For her to have allowed and hidden the spies in her home, it appears she already had a fear of God. She also lied to the king's soldiers about the men's whereabouts, which could have resulted in death, and also demonstrated that her fear of God was greater than her fear of man. Her fear of God forced her into action. The same is true in today's world. We are saved by grace through faith is Jesus Christ, we do not "earn" our way into heaven by our works. James 2:18 addresses this and tells us that we are to show our faith by our works. This is one reason that many non-Christians won't believe in God or the church today. It's because the divorce rate, alcoholism, sexual immorality, and other sins are just as high among "church people" as they among unchurched people. Folks, the world should be able to see a clear difference in Christian lives vs. non-Christian lives and that is exhibited by our external actions.
4. Saving Faith is communicated to those we love. In vv.12-14, Rahab's primary concern was for the safety of her family, literally in this case. When we accept Christ as our Lord and Savior, shouldn't our family be the first people we want to tell about His grace and mercy. Her heart's desire was for her family to be saved from the Israelite army that would be coming in. While our heart's desire should be for the billions of lost people in world and sharing God's Word with them.
God was willing to offer his grace to Rahab, a lowly sinful prostitute. How much more so do you think he is willing and anxious to offer his grace and mercy to you along with the eternal gift of salvation? I pray that I can be more forgiving, understanding, and graceful to people with sin in their past just as Jesus Christ has been with me. Thank you Lord for offering me eternity with you through faith in your son Jesus.
#faith #grace
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