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!