RAHAB THE HARLOT WAS ALSO JUSTIFIED BY WORKS (James 2:24-26)
Abraham was justified by faith Godward, and by works manward. God justified him the moment he believed. Man says "Show me the reality of your faith." The only way to do this is by good works.
Rahab was a Canaanite living in the city of Jericho. She heard reports that a victorious army was advancing toward the city, and that no opposition had been successful against this army. She concluded that the God of the Hebrews was the true God, and decided to identify herself with this God, whatever the cost might be. When the spies entered the city, she befriended them. In doing so, she proved the genuineness of her faith in the true and living God. She was not saved by harboring the spies, but this act of hospitality proved that she was a genuine believer.
This section refers to life-works, not law-works. If you abstract faith from Abraham's and Rahab's works, they were bad works. Look at them as the fruit of faith and they were life-works. Faith without works is dead, ineffective, and worthless. Obviously, it is a spurious faith, not genuine saving faith.
Abraham was justified by faith Godward, and by works manward. God justified him the moment he believed. Man says "Show me the reality of your faith." The only way to do this is by good works.
Rahab was a Canaanite living in the city of Jericho. She heard reports that a victorious army was advancing toward the city, and that no opposition had been successful against this army. She concluded that the God of the Hebrews was the true God, and decided to identify herself with this God, whatever the cost might be. When the spies entered the city, she befriended them. In doing so, she proved the genuineness of her faith in the true and living God. She was not saved by harboring the spies, but this act of hospitality proved that she was a genuine believer.
This section refers to life-works, not law-works. If you abstract faith from Abraham's and Rahab's works, they were bad works. Look at them as the fruit of faith and they were life-works. Faith without works is dead, ineffective, and worthless. Obviously, it is a spurious faith, not genuine saving faith.
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