Authentic Christianity
Trust in God leading to active faith

Tuesday June 30, 2009

20You foolish man, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless? 21Was not our ancestor Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? 22You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did. 23And the scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,” and he was called God’s friend. 24You see that a person is justified by what he does and not by faith alone.
25In 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? 26As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.

Reflection
V. 25 offers another example of faith in action.  Whenever Rahab is mentioned she is known as Rahab the prostitute.  It seems strange that she would be called righteous.  James provides an example different from the previous one.  God knows her past and her profession, but here, and in Scripture, she is commended for her faith.  James tells us what she did, she gave lodging to the spies, and that was dangerous for her. We turn to Joshua to hear her trust in God.

8 Before the spies lay down for the night, she went up on the roof 9 and said to them, “I know that the LORD has given this land to you and that a great fear of you has fallen on us, so that all who live in this country are melting in fear because of you. 10 We have heard how the LORD dried up the water of the Red Sea  for you when you came out of Egypt, and what you did to Sihon and Og, the two kings of the Amorites east of the Jordan, whom you completely destroyed.  11 When we heard of it, our hearts melted and everyone’s courage failed because of you, for the LORD your God is God in heaven above and on the earth below. (Josh 2:8-11)

True faith involves knowledge of who God is, and not simply talks about God, but trusts Him with the difficult choices in life.

Father, Rahab had it hard. She could have been in danger if she was caught with the spies in her place, but she sheltered Your people.  She trusted in Your goodness and protection.  She did not simply believe facts about You or summarize stories about You, but she put those ideas about You into active faith. She knew she could trust You.  We need that kind of radical faith.  Teach us not only who You are, but grant us the opportunities to step out in faith