Prove Your Faith By Work

Joshua 2: 1-7

Rahab proved her faith by doing God's Work!

Rahab was genuinely converted. She proved it by her involvement in the work of the Lord; she hid the spies and covered up for them.

Rahab told a lie. The Bible didn't condone her lie; it merely recorded it.

Rahab wasn't the only person in the Bible who lied. Abraham lied (Gen. 12:10-20); Isaac lied (Gen. 26:6-11); David lied (1 Sam. 21:2; 2 Sam. 12); Elisha lied (2 Kings 6:18-23).

We cannot condone her lie. But it was a case of "the lesser evil for the greater good." Given the right circumstances, most people would have done the same thing. we would lie to protect a loved one, or ourselves. Like Rahab, we might choose to commit "the lesser evil for the greater good."

Rahab was a pagan. She was raised in a culture of corruption, where lies were as common as dirt. Rahab was a believer. But she had never been taught or read a Bible. Rahab wasn't perfect. She lied. But God was able to use her sin for His glory!

James used Rahab as an example of the believer who proves their salvation by the works of their life (James 2:25).

The truth of our profession is proven by the way we live our lives (James 2:18)! We can say anything we like, but what we really are is revealed in what we do! A life that belongs to the Lord Jesus will be a life that wants to be involved in the things of God! The fruit of our lives proves the root of our lives (Matt. 7:20)! Jesus told us that we have been "created in Christ Jesus to do good works" (Eph. 2:10). Works don't save, but they sure point out those who are!

Rahab Accepted God

Joshua 2:9-11

Not only did Rahab hear the message of Israel's God, she heeded that message as well.

This message produced a response of faith in Rahab's heart.

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The fact that Rahab believed the message was proven by what she said about God.

In verse 9, she called Him "the LORD", using His covenant name "Jehovah."

In verse 11, she expressed her faith in Him as the "God in heaven above and on the earth below."

In verse 12, she again expressed her faith in God as she called Him to witness the pact she was about to make with the spies.

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Rahab heard the message and she acted on it in belief.

She put her faith in the God of Israel!

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This is exactly what must happen in the life of the lost person who comes to Jesus.

He must hear the message and then act on it by accepting Jesus as his Savior by faith.

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The message of salvation is preached to the sinner.

They hear the Gospel and are convicted of the truth of the Gospel by the Holy Spirit (John 6:44).

When they believe the Gospel, they are saved by the grace of God.

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Salvation cannot be ours if our faith is in anything else but Jesus Christ and His finished work.

Nothing else can save us!

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We must accept the Lord Jesus Christ.

We must have faith in Him and His finished work.

Nothing else can save us!