“By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the spies with peace” (Hebrews 11.31.)
Introduction. The apostle Paul undertook to raise a grand pillar in the name of faith in the chapter before us. Faith triumphs over death when Enoch reaches heaven by another road; it triumphs over infirmity when Abraham begets a son in his old age; it divides the seas and casts down strong walls; and as though the greatest victory should be recorded last, here we have faith conquering sin. What! faith, did you fight with hideous lust? Yes, says faith, and I delivered this woman from the chambers of vice, and now her name shall be recorded in the roll of faith’s triumphs.
(1) Rahab’s Faith was Saving. Her salvation was not merely a deliverance of her body from the sword, but redemption of her soul from hell. Nothing can snatch the soul from perdition but an atonement which is as divine as God himself. Yet faith is the instrument of accomplishing the whole work. A heroic man can tell you what a great thing it is to save a fellow-creature. But only our Lord Jesus Christ can know what it is to save a soul. Are you literally one of Rahab’s sisters in guilt? The same faith that saved Rahab can save you, if God shall grant you repentance. The greatest sinners are as welcome to Christ as the best of saints. The fountain filled with blood was opened for black ones; the robe of Christ was woven for naked ones.
(2) Rahab’s Faith was Singular. The people of Jericho knew right well that death would come to each one if they should be attacked. Yet only this harlot repented and asked for mercy. It is hard to have singular faith, to believe a thing alone. O! it is a noble thing to be the lonely follower of despised truth. Worldly religious men will go along with the current. Rahab was ‘faithful among the faithless found.’ If you have grace in your heart you will dare to do right.
(3) Rahab’s Faith was Stable. True faith exclaims, ‘The thing is unlikely, yet I believe it.’ Unbelief communed with Rahab this way: ‘Why put your life in jeopardy for these spies, when it is so improbable that their people, who are nothing but a parcel of slaves, will defeat the mighty Canaanites?’ All glory to God’s grace! the great sinner may become great in faith.
(4) Rahab’s Faith was Self-Denying. She dared to risk her life for the sake of the spies. O men and brethren, trust not your faith unless it has self-denial with it. Faith and self-denial are like twins.
(5) Rahab’s Faith was Sympathizing. She desired mercy, not for herself only, but for her relations too. You are worse than a heathen and a publican if you care not for your own household. The spirit of proselyting is the spirit of Christianity. It is impossible to know the value of salvation without desiring to see others brought in. This is a first-fruit of the Spirit. It is a kind of instinct in a young Christian. Unless we desire others to taste the benefits we have enjoyed, we are either inhuman monsters or outrageous hypocrites; I think the last is more likely.
(6) Rahab’s Faith was Sanctifying. Did Rahab continue a harlot after she had faith? No, she did not, but the name still stuck to her, as such names will. You cannot have faith, and yet live in sin.
Selection from Conclusion. “The world has been trying all manner of processes to reform men: there is but one thing that ever will reform them, and that is, faith in the preached gospel.”
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