I have previously mentioned how I came to faith. However, I am going to touch upon it again. I just knew that God could not forgive me. I was “too bad to be forgiven”. So, when I began looking for a church, it was so that my children could have a relationship with God. Then God revealed to me that this simply was not true. After several months of attending this church, I began to understand that God desires that we would all have a relationship with Him. And, despite what we might think, Jesus came to save (the whole world… even you and me), not to condemn. “For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” John 3:17.
A great picture of that redemptive power of God is Rahab. I know that I have mentioned Rahab in the past, but what God did in and through her is worthy of discussing again. It is a picture of what God wants for each of us.
In the account of Rahab (found in Joshua chapters 2 & 6) we see that she was both a prostitute and a Gentile who lived in Jericho. Because Rahab was a gentile (not Jewish), and an Amorite, she was probably an idol worshipper. But, despite these two issues, she protected the spies of David who worshipped God. And she also protected her family. Now, we may think that a harlot was too bad to be forgiven. But that isn’t what we are going to see.
We may also think that we are not prostitutes or idol worshippers. But, if we examine our hearts, we may find some idols in our lives. Anything that comes before God (money, success, family, etc.) is an idol.
Back to Rahab… lol. 😀
Rahab risked her own life to save the lives of men of God. She hid the Jewish spies who came to Jericho because the king wanted to kill them.
Rahab had heard that God had been moving and protecting Israel. And she came to recognize that the God of Israel was the one true God. She shared this with the spies. “As soon as we heard it, our hearts melted, and there was no spirit left in any man because of you, for the Lord your God, he is God in the heavens above and on the earth beneath.” Joshua 2:11. This is a profession of faith (“the Lord your God is God in heaven above and on the earth below.”)! Faith in the one true God.
So, Rahab’s profession of faith resulted in a new reputation. Rahab was no longer a prostitute. She was a new creation. And then Salmon, one of the spies that she rescued, would even make her His wife.
This was quite a transformation! Because we also find Rahab listed as a member of, what I would call, the faith hall of fame, in Hebrews 11. To see her listed here, it must have been an incredible, spiritual change; one that only God can perform.
This is a beautiful picture of God’s redemptive nature and power.
Rahab wasn’t a new person only in the eyes of the people. She wasn’t a new person only in the eyes of Salmon. She was a new creation in the eyes of God. “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will remove your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.” Ezekial 36:26.
Rahab no longer carried the weight of her sin. No longer was she condemned. Rahab was forgiven! So forgiven that Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, is a descendant of Rahab! God took a harlot and, from her lineage, came the KING OF KINGS!
We have not all been prostitutes. However, at some point in our lives, we have all felt that we were too bad to be forgiven. If say that we haven’t, then we are fooling ourselves. “If we claim we have no sin, we are only fooling ourselves and not living in the truth” 1 John 1:8.
We all know people who feel as though they are too bad to be forgiven right now.
But there is no such thing with God. He knew that we would not be sinless. He knew that we could not pay the penalty for our sins. So, He made a way. That way is Jesus.
God gave us the example of a harlot redeemed and made new. This example should inspire us all to thank Him for what He has done for us. It should inspire us to thank Him for His sacrifice. It should inspire us to share Him with those around us who think, “I’m too bad to be forgiven”.
Father, we praise You! We praise You for even wanting a relationship with us. You devised a plan to forgive us and we thank You. We praise You that that way is Your perfect and precious Son, Jesus. And, in Him, there is no condemnation. “So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus.” Romans 8:1.
Thank you, Father! And, please forgive us. Forgive us for our lack of faith. Forgive us for not living it out more boldly. And forgive us for not telling others. Holy Spirit, ignite a fire in us. Create an insatiable desire in us to tell others about the redemptive, forgiving power of Christ.
If you do not know Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior, I pray that you would go to our Life Preserver page (https://forgiven-n-loved.com/life-preserver/) and pray the prayer that is outlined there. Once you have, please reach out to me at admin@Forgiven-N-Loved.com. I promise you that God wants a relationship with you. You are not too bad to be forgiven. I promise. And I promise that this is the most important thing you will ever do. Please pray and reach out to me. Let me know if you have prayed this prayer. Let me know if you have any questions. I would love to be in prayer for and with you.
Luv Ya!
