Re: Think 09-20-09

Written on September 21, 2009 by Matt

This is our Sunday Re: Think, an opportunity for us to continue to think on the events of last Sunday.

Throughout the course of 2009 one of our main goals in spending an entire year in the Old Testament is to see evidences of the Gospel lived out in those we encounter.  There is possibly no clearer place than in the story of Rahab in Joshua.

It is in the story of Rahab we see the beauty of the Gospel on full display.  We witness in captivating form the mercy and grace of God extended to one who is far away.

What makes the story of Rahab so compelling for us to consider, is not only how she came into relationship with the Creator God of Israel, but also what happened in her life as a result.

In Rahab we see evidence of the truth that we preach a simple Gospel with profound consequences.  All that was required of Rahab is that she believed according to what she had heard, and place faith in that in which she believed.  In Joshua 2, we read of Rahab’s admission she had heard how the LORD moved in various ways on behalf of Israel, and she feared for her life and those of her family.  Her repentance consisted of a spurning of an old way of life and a willingness to lay everything on the line for the sake of Israel and their God.  Her faith was accompanied by obedience in action.

The story of Rahab also shows us how beautiful the Gospel is in scope.  The Gospel is for everyone.  Rahab had baggage, we all have baggage, yet we see God was mighty to save, regardless of her present state.  When God saves sinners He gets the Glory.  As it was with Rahab, so it is with us.  We enter into relationship with God by His Grace, through Faith in His saving work.

God doesn’t care about our birthright, resume, the opinion of others, how many friends we have on facebook, or whether or not we consider ourselves a “good” person.  Rather He conisders the state of our heart and what we do with His Son, Jesus Christ.

Finally, we see the beauty of the Gospel in the end of Rahab’s story.  Far from being an outcast, or second class citizen in Israel, Rahab is part of the line that produces Jesus.  The writer of Hebrews lifts her up as an example of faith , and James speaks of how her work in hiding the spies was evidence of her faith as well.

How is the beauty of the Gospel displayed in your life?

Posted in Re: Think