Posted on 06/30/2023 4:23:28 AM PDT by metmom
"In the same way was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works, when she received the messengers and sent them out by another way? Just as the body without the spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead" (James 2:25-26). True faith willingly makes whatever sacrifices God requires.
It's understandable that James would use Abraham as an illustration of living faith—especially to his predominately Jewish readers. Rahab, however, is a different story. She was a Gentile, a prostitute, a liar, and lived in the pagan city of Jericho. How could such a person illustrate true faith?
Rahab knew very little about the true God but what she knew, she believed, and what she believed, she acted on. She believed that God had led His people out of Egypt and defeated the Amorite kings (Josh. 2:9-10). She openly confessed that the Lord "is God in heaven above and on earth beneath" (v. 11). Her faith was vindicated when she aided the Hebrew spies who entered Jericho just prior to Joshua's invasion.
Both Abraham and Rahab valued their faith in God above all else. Both were willing to sacrifice what mattered most to them: for Abraham it was Isaac; for Rahab it was her own life. Their obedience in the face of such great sacrifice proved the genuineness of their faith.
James calls each of us to examine ourselves to be sure we have a living faith. The acid test is whether your faith produces obedience. No matter what you claim, if righteousness doesn't characterize your life, your faith is dead, not living. James likened that kind of faith to hypocrites who offer pious words to the needy but refuse to meet their needs; to demons, who believe the truth about God but are eternally lost; and to a lifeless, useless corpse. Those are strong analogies, but God does not want you to be deceived about the quality of your own faith.
I pray that you are rejoicing in the confidence that your faith is genuine. God bless you as you live each day in His wonderful grace.
Suggestions for Prayer
Ask God for the grace and courage to face any sacrifice necessary as you live out your faith.
For Further Study
Read Joshua 2:1-24; 6:1-27; and Matthew 1:1-5.
How did Rahab protect the spies?
How did God bless Rahab?
From Drawing Near by John MacArthur Copyright © 1993. Used by permission of Crossway Books, a division of Good News Publishers, Wheaton, IL 60187, www.crossway.com.
Studying God’s Word ping
Studying God’s Word ping
Actions, or at least the desire, follow true faith. The two go hand in hand. Done in faith is fruitful, unlike empty actions done for saving oneself.
Why is faith without works dead?
https://www.gotquestions.org/faith-without-works-dead.html
Good discussion there.
Thanks Mom...
This is really such a simple concept to understand. If you truly believe what God promises concerning faith in Christ, then how can you not live to honor Him out of genuine gratitude? Where many people fatally err is in thinking it is by their works that they merit or deserve salvation rather than the finished work of Jesus Christ. Good works are an outward sign of an inward faith/belief that is from the heart and not just from the head. But when we depend upon those good works of ours to earn us heaven, we cease trusting in Christ as our Savior. Scripture clearly states it's faith OR works -- it can't be both.
Amen!
I have come to be aware in a new way that even if I could live an otherwise perfect, sinless life from here on out, it is still way too late for me to have that couldn’t towards salvation.
It has to be Jesus because NOTHING could cancel the record of sin debt that I already owe.
One sin is enough to condemn someone forever. I’m way beyond that.
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