Rahab

James 2: 25-26

You may have heard about her, she is what the bible has referred to as, a “harlot.” However she is a part of the lineage of Christ? Yes! That’s right Christ!  Her name is Rahab, she was a prostitute from Canaan. The actual Greek word translated “prostitute” in (2:25) is porne.  Rahab was known for all of the wrong things, a continuous pattern of bad decisions after another. God still loved her! But when she decided something needed to happen she sought after meaning, perhaps a purpose. Rahab believed in God and then did something about it. Rahab helps protect two spies sent by Joshua to spy on the city of Jerhico. By hiding them and cleverly telling the king’s messengers that she didn’t know where the men were from, helps get the people of Israel to a safe place. Rahab told the spies, please swear to me by the Lord, since I have shown you kindness, that you show kindness to my family and save all of our lives. She had faith and because of that, her actions backed it up.

God has the ability to change hearts and minds, not us. But one thing is for sure, when I pray that people see Christ in me I pray that my actions show it as well. You see, my faith for God is what brings about my action, because I choose to have a relationship with him and not a “religion” he can work through me and you. Faith and works go together like Oreo cookies and milk, you can’t have one without the other, or as James puts it; “the very moment you separate body and spirit, you end up with a corpse. Separate faith and works and you get the same thing” (James 2:26). Paul says it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by openly declaring your faith that you are saved (Romans 10:10).  Do you have faith, and do you have actions? Rahab did, God saw her for what she would be.

I think Beth Moore sums it up the best…

Photography: @jacobnnorris