Text: Joshua 2:1-24, Hebrews 11:30-31
Rahab.
A prostitute.
A pagan.
Not exactly a clean slate.
But today we read a story of how God chose her and used her in big ways.
She is the first recorded Gentile to have a saving faith. (Joshua 2:11)
She is part of the lineage of Christ. (Matthew 1:5)
Rahab was feisty – she was smart. But she probably wouldn’t have been a logical pick, in our human minds, for the role God gave her.
Are you starting to notice a pattern, Sister? Saul, the woman at the well, Rahab. There is no story too messy for God. No mistake too big.
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God.”
Ephesians 2:8, NIV
It is a gift. All grace.
But there is another important aspect of this story that we can’t ignore.
Action.
Rahab doesn’t just speak a faith in the Most High, but she acts upon it. James Chapter 2 challenges us in this way:
“What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.
But someone will say, ‘You have faith; I have deeds.’
In the same way, was not even Rahab the prostitute considered righteous for what she did when she gave lodging to the spies and sent them off in a different direction? As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.” (James 2: 14-18, 25-26, NIV)
Don’t get me wrong, the gift is still a free gift.
And this gift means new life. A fresh start. New beginnings.
And the fruit of the grace poured out on us are the actions – the changes in our life – that we see each day.
Will you be perfect? No. (Romans 7:15)
But you are covered by His grace. Forgiven. (Romans 3:23-24)
Let your life be an outpouring of all He has poured out on you.
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34 thoughts on "grace by faith"
God has really been speaking to me lately on stewardship…helping. loving.
Thank you all so much for your prayers!
Love this: “There is no story too messy for God. No mistake too big.”
This is an awesome lesson that I learned a lot about last year. I made a huge leap of faith with my career and it turned out to be one of the best decisions of my life! If you put your faith in Him, he'll be right there by your side every step of the way!
I agree with so many of you. I find myself getting caught up in rules and getting so frustrated with myself when I mess up. “What is wrong with me?” I often ask myself. “When am I going to get it and stop acting up?”
Well the “getting it”, is realizing that Jesus loves me even when I sin. He still uses me. What matters most isn’t my ability but my willingness to listen and serve.
Tamara, I’m praying for you. God will give you the strength and ability to resist temptation.
Good Morning y'all. This spoke to me. I never felt truly worthy of a fresh start. None of my mistakes or yours are to big for God. For that, I am beyond thankful!
Father, forgive me. Due to tripping up in partial fasting and a call to fast, I feel pretty guilty, confused and condemned. It's hard to tell what is me pushing on in my perfectionist, gotta-be-a-saint, almost crazy, not-relying-on-grace personality and what is Christ calling me. Guilt, confusion, and condemnation are not of God at all, I know, but I feel right now like I'm not giving my all to God, and therefore I'm farther away and "not right" with Him. Lord, destroy all of satan's plans to attack me during this time; For I know that whenever I try to do such a thing as this, He's always right there, trying to confuse and destroy it. This reading really helped me today, because it's true- Christ can use me, use us, no matter the things we do. I am saved by grace. Sisters, pray that I learn to take that to heart and live in it today.
Praying for you to rest in Him, in His strength not in your own. I am a bit of a perfectionist as well and so many times I set myself up for failure with all these plans to be the best in everything or I label myself a failure. I sometimes picture God sitting back in an armchair shaking His head with a little smile like a patient dad saying ," here she goes again thinking I need her to give me what I didn't ask her to do without asking if I want it or to help her with it". The great thing is He doesn't get mad when I fall, but He sheds a tear for us, picks us up, dusts us off, and sets us back on the road to walk with, or be carried for a bit with Him. God doesn't need our sacrifices, He needs our hearts. And from all your posts I've read, it seems pretty evident to me He has it. Be gentle with you. Nibble away at things you feel God is calling you to do, if He is it will be accomplished with His strength, if not fail fast, dust yourself off and look up to see what direction He is calling you to. He loves you and wants the best for you, not self condemnation, that comes from the enemy. Be gentle with you and take care of you. We are human, perfection is something we will never achieve. That is for God and God alone, and He loves us anyways. ;0). Have a beautiful, successful day.
Beautifully said Sharon…..fail fast – dust yourself off – be gentle with you…..such good advice!
I find it so comforting to know that Rahab's lifestyle actually made her the ideal candidate to help the spies. They could easily slip in and out of her home BECAUSE she had this revolving door of men coming and going. Wow. And of course she was the ideal candidate to become the first Gentile convert BECAUSE she was a known sinner – a perfect example that no sin or lifestyle of sin is beyond God's grace for those who have faith. So, thankful there is "No mistake too big" and that God calls all of us to action in response to our salvation. May I be ever looking and listening for ways to act in response to the fresh start given to me.
I love that Rahab took action not knowing how it would turn out. She could have been killedf the plan failed. She only knew she had faith in the one true God and wanted to act on His behalf. May I have the courage to be faithful to. God's leading in the face of fear!
Thank you Lord that your Kingdom is a woven tapestry of imperfect, sometimes quite messy sinners. But once you take your shuttle and start to weave the weft and warp, you have made a new beautiful creation.
Good morning sisters! I am praying this morning that God will reveal to me areas where I can take action on my faith and further the Kingdom, not further myself. Up until recently, I felt like I was constantly feeding off of other people for Biblical truths and answers, but now I am seeking things out for myself and making my faith my own. I pray for confidence in taking all of the good things that God has been doing in my life and sharing them with others too. Have a great day ladies :)
Sister Tamera I am praying grace and peace for you and your family but no matter the circumstances please know that our God’s grace is enough to carry you hold you and love you through it. He loves you!
Praise God that we don't have to be "perfect" to be used by him.
Praying for you and your family Tamara.
Tamara, praying for you!
Praying for you Tamara. It will be well.
No mess is too much for God to clean up. Love that – and totally needed the action reminder. Totally. I am often a Word hearer and speaker, but doing will fall by the wayside. Lord, help me to do more than lip service to Your truths. I want to act on it!
Amen! Yes Lord. Help me to do more than lip service to your truths! Love that. Thanks for sharing.
This one touched me today. You can't just pray and hope people do better you must take action. If you have the ability to help the sick and hungry than you should. I feel like God expects us as his people to take charge and help. I want to do better with this and not just pray but take action and help in anyway that I can.
Amen Tina..God is our great physician Tamara..may the holy spirit comforts u durimg this time..
I'm so thankful for this community and how God speaks to my heart through this. A mass was found on my Mom's lungs this week. She had a biopsy today. My Step Grandfather died today. Please pray for her and for me to have the unwavering faith we should have. Please pray her pain goes away. I'm finding myself paralyzed from this and searching the wrong sources.
Tamara, God be with you at this sad and confusing time……praying that you know God's amazing love and presence., and comforting..
Praying for healing for your mum, that God, the Great physician, will be present ever step of this terrifying journey, that He puts the right people in the right place at the right time…..that you both know His peace and love….
Praying and will continue to pray, Tamara…..
God be with you dear sister…
I'm praying for peace and comfort for you and your family Tamara. Rest in God's loving arms and He will carry you through this.
Praying for you and your family.
Tamara, so sorry for all that has come upon your family this week and for your loss of your grandfather. We will all certainly be praying for you as you gather with family. And also for you and your mother for peace that passes understanding. When we find God is all we have we realize He is all we NEED. Let Him be your comfort and strength, lean on the Word.
Go to the Psalms every day, they are always strength to me in times of sorrow or uncertainty. Claim them as your own and read them out loud.
Here is a song you might share with your mother, I know I share it often but it gives such strength. We are lifting you up sister! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LmWTPIInuIE Let that Peace of God cover you like a blanket… ♥
Candace, ever since you led us to this lovely prayerful song…..I have loved it…. definitely one to listen to, and use as prayer….at this sad time for Tamara…bless you dear sister….x x
Praying for you and your family, Tamara.
Tamara, praying for you to find comfort in the Father as you cast all these burdens on Him. May he carry you and strengthen your faith. Lord please help Tamara to continually turn to you and the body of Christ instead of he sources she knows are not helpful. Please be with her mom and help her with pain management. Amen
Praying for you and your family,Tamara.May the The Lord give you His peace that passes ALL understanding!
Monique I too went through the same with my mom. May Jesus love and prescience be so strongly with both of you. May God hold you both close to his heart where you can find peace and strength. I pray He strengthen your faith and bring healing. With love Diane
Tamara.. my comment to Monique was meant for you. I made a mistake. And for Monique may GodBless you too. With love… Diane
Good morning sisters:) Wow! Forgiven, redeemed, restored reconciled..oh how I love Jesus. In my mess God still saw fit to use me..even when I felt I was useless..I could imagine how rahab must of felt..but look what the Lord used her for.:) this is so encouraging..when people give up on us and say God can’t use you for whatever reason they lie. God is looking for a willing,pure heart despite our shameful past..I am set free today..you are set free…we are set free from the bondage of the past. Lamentations 3:21-23 KJV
This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope. It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness. Be encouraged,be free,be forgiven :) I love you all my sisters..sending you all a hug via internet:) /!!