James 2:24-25‏

24. "You see that a man is justified (pronounced righteous before God) through what he does and not alone through faith [through works of obedience as well as by what he believes]."

Now, I hope I stressed enough, that James has been merely an argument, inside our own hearts and mind, that God has shown him, we ALL will have, if Christ dwells within. And so, here at the end of those arguments, we come to the ONLY conclusion... we "do" see that a man is pronounced righteous before God, through what we do and not alone through faith, which is, "through works of obedience as well as by what we believe".

25. "So also with Rahab the harlot--was she not shown to be justified (pronounced righteous before God) by [good] deeds when she took in the scouts (spies) and sent them away by a different route?"

Rahab, the prostitute earned unique praise for her faith, and a place in the lineage of Christ. Certainly the faith revealed in the story of her life demonstrates the potential we all have. She also reminds us to not judge, because how many of us would expect a great act of faith from... well, someone like her? How many of us walking through her neighborhood would have crossed to the other-side of the street so as not to be contaminated. Yet, God blessed this women by putting her in the lineage of Christ, in Mat.

If you study why Rahab betrayed her people... she heard what the Lord had done and believed. Too many times we hear what the Lord has done and refuse to believe, or worse we believe but refuse to act on that belief. Rahab believed and acted, even though acting put her life on the line. We often talk about stepping out in faith, but many times that step has little meaning because the drop is small. An abyss awaited Rahab with her first step... "the life of a traitor" would be short indeed, especially the life of a traitorous harlot.

"Now then, since I have dealt kindly with you, swear to me by the Lord that you in turn will deal kindly with my family. Give me a sign of good faith that you will spare my father and mother, my brothers and sisters, and all who belong to them, and deliver our lives from death." Joshua 2:12-13

Rahab had faith not only in what God had done, and could do, but in faith of what He would do. She had faith that He would spare her family.

James reminds that faith can't be just words--or even sincere emotion. If we say we have faith and do nothing based on that faith, then our faith is worthless. Faith and works have the same relationship as our love of God and our love of our brothers and sisters. I can think I love God with all my heart, but if I don't love my brothers and sisters I do not truly love God. Yet when I love God, by the very fact of loving God I love my brothers and sisters. Ever wonder why Rahab had to be a prostitute, when we know she had a Father, Brothers and Sisters, whom by law should have provided for her? Yet, she still loved them!

Hebrews 11:31: "By faith Rahab the prostitute did not perish with those who were disobedient, because she had received the spies in peace..."

Let's pick up with James verse 2:26 next time.

I love you.