You see that a man is justified by works and not by faith alone. 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? For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead.

                                                                                                               James 2:24-26 

If you are not familiar with the story of Rahab, it is an interesting one and pivotal in understanding how God receives mankind. Rahab was a prostitute, living in the city of Jericho. This was one of the cities that was to be handed over to the Israelites as they moved into the land that God had promised to them. The people residing in this city did not know God for they were a part of a Gentile group. They were not familiar with God’s deliverance of the people from Egypt or of the promises that God had made to Israel. Their city was about to be destroyed but there was one person living among these people that would find God’s favor and redemption.

In spite of her “loose” lifestyle, Rahab, in a key moment, would demonstrate her belief in the one true God by hiding out the spies that Israel had sent into the land (Joshua 2). In other words, it was her obedience to her faith in God that prompted her to recognize that the men were sent by God and that she needed to protect them from her countrymen who were seeking their capture. This is why James mentions her as a means of establishing the importance of works (an extension of what we have previously examined).

She is also mentioned in what is commonly referred to as “the roll call of the faithful” in Hebrews. Consider the following:

By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they had been encircled for seven days. By faith Rahab the harlot did not perish along with those who were disobedient, after she had welcomed the spies in peace.

                                                                                                         Hebrews 11:30-31 

And this leads us to the purpose for discussing Rahab. She exhibited a life change by her actions. In other words, it was obvious which side of the spiritual “fence” she was on by “welcoming the spies in peace.” I believe that much can be said about the church today regarding this truth. Are we united in one purpose, under one Lord and Savior, with the same mindset? Tragically, I do not always believe that this is the case. But consider the following:

John said to Him, “Teacher, we saw someone casting out demons in Your name, and we tried to prevent him because he was not following us.” But Jesus said, “Do not hinder him, for there is no one who will perform a miracle in My name, and be able soon afterward to speak evil of Me. For he who is not against us is for us. For whoever gives you a cup of water to drink because of your name as followers of Christ, truly I say to you, he will not lose his reward.

                                                                                                                 Mark 9:38-41 

It should be obvious who is on our side and who isn’t. A person’s actions and attitudes towards believers will demonstrate whether or not they have also been born again. Their avoidance, and sometimes persecution, of believers proves that they are not. But sometimes we fall into the same mindset as the disciples. “Teacher, we saw someone casting out demons in Your name, and we tried to prevent him because he was not following us.” The concern was that these other believers were not with them therefore they were concerned about their authenticity. Jesus’ answer is priceless, “He who is not against us is for us.” Support of the spread of the gospel proves that the individual is not against the believers. Jesus goes on to say, “For whoever gives you a cup of water to drink because of your name as followers of Christ, truly I say to you, he will not lose his reward.” For Rahab, it was not a cup of water rather protection for the spies, but in doing so, she proved where her loyalties were positioned.

We too have a choice in discerning the motives and intentions of others. When we see the name of Jesus Christ being openly and unapologetically confessed, we can determine that these too are believers. Likewise, when we face being ostracized and treated poorly because of our faith, the light of spiritual opposition is exposed. When someone is saved, it will always lead to a significant life change!

Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God. 

                                                                                                                       1 John 4:15