Grace Spares

But Joshua spared Rahab the prostitute, with her family and all who belonged to her, because she hid the men Joshua had sent as spies to Jericho—and she lives among the Israelites to this day.

Joshua 6:25

A couple of things about Rahab are pretty cool. One, her faith was real and two, God's grace spared her and her family. First, her faith was not just an emotional experience. She took a step of faith. She hid the spies and hung the scarlet cord, gathered her family and waited for deliverance. Within that is a little truth that I think is pretty important. She was willing to leave her old life and start a new life as part of Israel, the people of God.

The grace of God, in the midst of battle and judgement, is shown to Rahab and her family. We are reminded that Jesus came to save sinners. She was a prostitute. She was not, at least at first glance, the noble woman of Proverbs 31, but, more like the woman Proverbs warned about in the beginning chapters. Yet, she became a member of the Messianic line and is mentioned in Matthew 1:5. What is important about Rahab, is not that she was prostitute, but that she took the step of faith to turn away from her former life and start a whole new life in Israel.  

What we were is not what matters, what matters is that we turn to Christ and live a new life in him. His grace spares us from destruction and makes us new creations in Christ. 

Thank you, Lord Jesus Christ!

cf Matthew 1:5; Hebrews 11:31; James 2:25