“Behold, when we come into the land, you shall tie this scarlet cord in the window through which you let us down, and you shall gather into your house your father and mother, your brothers, and all your father’s household.’ vs18

This scarlet cord represents Christ and him crucified; it is the saving message of God’s Son dying for our sins, so that he can be just and justify. Romans 3:26 - "It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus." This is the message of the Scriptures, and there’s no hope without it. We follow Christ by the gospel, or we perish.

This is the message Jesus preached on the road to Emmaus, as he expounded to them in all the Scriptures the things that concern himself. This is what Phillip preached to the Ethiopian, as he began at the exact same scripture that the Eunuch was reading. Acts 8:35 - "Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning with this Scripture he told him the good news about Jesus." Christ crucified is our only hope before God at all times. 1 Peter 1:21 - "who through him are believers in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God."

The problem is that WE ARE SINNERS, and nothing but Christ’s blood can make atonement. Our best is not good enough, because God is perfect, and he demands punishment for sins. The judge cannot let us go free, if we promise to try harder, especially when our best efforts are as filthy as our worst deeds. That’s right. Anything that you do to make yourself righteous with God, apart from relying upon the finished work of Christ, is as evil as rejecting God’s Son and presenting a polluted offering. Malachi 1:8 - "When you offer blind animals in sacrifice, is that not evil? And when you offer those that are lame or sick, is that not evil? Present that to your governor; will he accept you or show you favor? says the LORD of hosts." We must never desecrate God’s matchless name by coming to him without the blood of Jesus, because we will never be accepted.

Faith in Christ, however, pleases him! It shows that God is righteous to justify us: He is just to forgive our sins, because his Son has paid the penalty. He declares us righteous by faith, saying, “Whoever believes is justified, because he trusts my Son whom I have accepted.” Jesus’ resurrection proves the blood is enough: he atoned sin.

Secondly, if we leave Christ, then our blood is upon our own heads. We’ve brought disaster upon ourselves. Joshua 2:19 - "Then if anyone goes out of the doors of your house into the street, his blood shall be on his own head, and we shall be guiltless. But if a hand is laid on anyone who is with you in the house, his blood shall be on our head."

Christ is not the beginning of the gospel, and then we go elsewhere! Colossians 2:10 - "and you are complete in him, who is the head of all rule and authority." Everything God has for us is because of the blood of his Son. It doesn’t matter if I’ve preached a thousand years and I’m the holiest man on earth: the only reason God accepts us is the that blood Christ shed for sin. There is no righteousness that we’ll ever add to his.

Continuing in the faith is following Jesus until the end. Colossians 1:23 - "if indeed you continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard, which has been proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I, Paul, became a minister." Continuance is faith manifesting itself in how we live.

If I have rejoiced in Christ, but now love the world, then it proves that my faith isn’t real. The Lord Jesus said that those who endure to the end shall be saved. He said that if we abide in his word, then we are his real disciples. Paul said, “If you continue in the faith.”

Faith has a beginning and an end. We believe the same gospel and it bears fruit until we cross the stormy sea to heaven; it is a faith that bears fruit, but it can’t always be seen. Some appear to be dead, but they are asleep, and the Master revives them. Others fall away because their faith was fake. Only one of the four soils was saved. Those who start and fail were never in! Those who are choked by the world, like Judas and Demas, are devils from the beginning. John 6:70 - "Jesus answered them, "Did I not choose you, the twelve? And yet one of you is a devil."" Those that continue in fruit bearing, however, are God’s dear children. We live for others to know Christ.

Thirdly, faith says, “According to your words.” Joshua 2:21 - "And she said, "According to your words, so be it." Then she sent them away, and they departed. And she tied the scarlet cord in the window."

Faith is not bound by emotion! It believes God through thick and thin, whether Christ feels near or distant. Faith believes God’s word above human opinion. Hebrews 11:1 - "Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen." Faith believes because God gives conviction to the heart. He speaks, we receive it, and we confess that he is true. 1 John 5:10 - "Whoever believes in the Son of God has the testimony in himself." Romans 10:17 - "So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ." Then, we follow him.

Rahab did exactly what the spies said because she believed God. She didn’t need any other evidence. We do likewise. God speaks, we believe the Scriptures, and then we lay down our lives and follow him.

Finally, do you have this faith? Are you trusting Christ? Do you follow him, or are you living for yourself? 1 John 2:15 - "Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him." Is he everything to you or an addition to your life. Do you believe God, or do you listen to Satan, when he says, “Sin”?