“And Joshua the son of Nun sent two men secretly from Shittim as spies, saying, ‘Go, view the land, especially Jericho.’ And they went and came into the house of a prostitute whose name was Rahab and lodged there.”

God saves sinners! Rahab is a harlot, someone selling sex for money, and she's the first person from the only family in Jericho to be saved. She's in the bloodline of Christ, along with Tamar who pretended to be a harlot, Ruth from the cursed Moabites, and Bathsheba who committed adultery with David [Matt 1:3-6].

Let us learn this fact, and go forward: We are not in the business of condemnation. John 3:17 - "For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him." We preach Christ to sinners, knowing that he saves them. We are not angry with the world. We are merciful. Matthew 5:7 - "Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy." Our tactics are not hatred and pride. We don't look down our noses. We call out sin, and preach Christ the remedy.

We were sinners ourselves. No one comes to Christ as a good person. You had a debt you couldn't pay, righteousness you couldn't establish, and commands that you couldn't keep! We come to be saved by grace. Ephesians 2:8 — "For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God,"

Faith is the opposite of self righteousness. It's receiving all, and having nothing to give.

Let's thank God that he's merciful, and point others to him. Let's believe, and tell sinners to put their faith in Christ.

Secondly, faith has works. Joshua 2:4, “But the woman had taken the two men and hidden them. And she said, "True, the men came to me, but I did not know where they were from.”

Rahab didn't merely talk about fearing God. She showed it. Faith makes you forsake everything, and follow Christ. Luke 14:33 — "So therefore, any one of you who does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple." We cease from our own works, give to support the gospel, and we do good to people. We are not mere talkers. We do the word! James 1:22 - "But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves."

Rahab hid the spies, though it might cost her. She risked her life and forsook her people! Matthew 10:37 - "Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me." She turned her back on all that she knew, and this is following Jesus. No one loves Jesus who loves him less than father, mother, child, or his own life. Faith is a principle that relies on Christ, and honors him!

Do you believe the gospel? It will show. James 2:18 - "I will show you my faith by my works." You'll gather with God's people, and live to make Christ known. You'll be devoted to him.

Thirdly, faith wants to save others. Joshua 2:12, “Now then, please swear to me by the LORD that, as I have dealt kindly with you, you also will deal kindly with my father's house, and give me a sure sign.”

Faith loves God and our neighbor! This principle is born in us by the Holy Spirit. Evangelism is the fruit of God’s acceptance. We delight to serve.

Let's thank God for this new nature of goodness. We weren't always like this. Titus 3:3 — "For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another." We loved for ourselves and loved pleasure. We loved self righteousness and human praise. Now, we love others enough to sacrifice!

Rahab wasn't concerned about herself only. She wanted her father’s house to know God. Households received the gospel in Acts. We start with those nearest to us, but we love those who are far off, that the gospel goes to the world.

This is grace teaching us to deny ungodliness, and be zealous of good works. This is the work of God Spirit, and the fruit of faith. He produces this as we trust his salvation. His love begats love. 1 John 4:19— "We love because he first loved us."