Three discontent with life
– Feeling trapped. There’s got to be more to life.
– On the verge of a breakthrough. But afraid to take the step.
– “How do I know?”
The point of Rahab’s story
– Faith is putting belief into actions
Faith according to James (James 2:14-26)
– What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him?
– Faith (belief) by itself, if it does not have works (actions), is dead. …
– You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder!
– Do you want to be shown, you foolish person, that faith apart from works is useless?
– Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up his son Isaac on the altar?
– You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by his works; …
– And he was called a friend of God. You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone.
– In the same way was not also Rahab the prostitute justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out by another way?
– For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead.
Reflection
- Have you ever been on a verge to breakthrough, only to hesitate, wait, and miss the opportunity? What was holding you back?
- Have you asked the questions – How do I know? How can I be sure?
- The answer offered by the story of Rahab seems to be: act on your belief one step at a time. It is how Rahab has been saved. It is also how the Israelites have crossed the Jordan River and captured Jericho. Exercising their belief one step at a time.
- What step can you take to answer God’s call today?
