Character
CHANGE OF CHARACTER?
So did Rahab’s “faith” in the stories about God (likened to our Scriptures)…in a God who would deliver on His promises…in the true God of heaven and earth, permanently change her “character” and lifestyle? Rahab was spared by the Israelite army when they took the city, but did that cause her to follow God and His commands and covenant henceforth now and forevermore?
We are never provided with further, specific details about her life after the collapse of the walls of Jericho. However the Bible does say that Rahab, from that day forward, lived with the Israelites as one of God’s people. So she was expected to obey God’s laws including His moral code. Therefore, we can conclude that this was more than likely a turning point in her life.
How could a heathen Canaanite prostitute possess such faith in the God of the Bible? I do not know, but she did. But, if we think about it, we are all like Rahab. The New Testament does not paint a pretty picture (to say the least) of our hearts/souls before coming to Christ. We are all stained, disreputable sinners in desperate need of a Savior.
God, by His grace and through His Holy Spirit, moves constantly upon our hearts and minds, wooing us by His love. God even gives us “what we need” in order to believe. For example, God made sure that Rahab heard the stories about His people’s victories over the enemies and the parting of the Red Sea.
Although the examples in this chapter are specific instances of faith, the Book of Hebrews and the New Testament make it clear that our faith must be clearly and firmly planted in no other than the person of Jesus Christ. I hope that goes without saying.
FAITH AND CHARACTER
So how is faith related to our “character,” that is, our holiness or Christ-likeness? Of course there exists a correlation but maybe not quite as directly as we have sometimes imagined. Holiness of mind and heart (piety) might be classified as a product of our faith walk.
As we grow in our personal relationship with Christ and follow the guidance of the Holy Spirit and surrender to the will of God for our lives, we become more like Christ in our thoughts, actions, conversation, plans, desires, and so forth. However, it is a process…a continuous process until we arrive home in heaven, and our transformation is completed.
God hates sin. And even though we as Christians may try really hard, the fact remains that we still sin and fall short of God’s glory. So how are we any different than the carnal world without Christ? The people in the world sin, and we Christians sin.
The difference is J-E-S-U-S! When we place our faith (genuine faith/trust) in the person and the work of Jesus Christ on the cross, we are “declared” righteous by God. Christ has become the sacrifice for our sins (past, present, future) once and for all. He has paid the penalty for our sin (which is death). Our sin debt account has been marked “paid in full” by God due to Christ’s death for us.
God has judged us and pardoned us, forgiven us, restored us…not because we are “good enough” in ourselves but because Christ has made us “good enough.” How are we made “good enough?” Through faith in Christ – through faith in who He is and what He did for us (His atoning work on the cross).
CHANGE OF CHARACTER?
So did Rahab’s “faith” in the stories about God (likened to our Scriptures)…in a God who would deliver on His promises…in the true God of heaven and earth, permanently change her “character” and lifestyle? Rahab was spared by the Israelite army when they took the city, but did that cause her to follow God and His commands and covenant henceforth now and forevermore?
We are never provided with further, specific details about her life after the collapse of the walls of Jericho. However the Bible does say that Rahab, from that day forward, lived with the Israelites as one of God’s people. So she was expected to obey God’s laws including His moral code. Therefore, we can conclude that this was more than likely a turning point in her life.
How could a heathen Canaanite prostitute possess such faith in the God of the Bible? I do not know, but she did. But, if we think about it, we are all like Rahab. The New Testament does not paint a pretty picture (to say the least) of our hearts/souls before coming to Christ. We are all stained, disreputable sinners in desperate need of a Savior.
God, by His grace and through His Holy Spirit, moves constantly upon our hearts and minds, wooing us by His love. God even gives us “what we need” in order to believe. For example, God made sure that Rahab heard the stories about His people’s victories over the enemies and the parting of the Red Sea.
Although the examples in this chapter are specific instances of faith, the Book of Hebrews and the New Testament make it clear that our faith must be clearly and firmly planted in no other than the person of Jesus Christ. I hope that goes without saying.
FAITH AND CHARACTER
So how is faith related to our “character,” that is, our holiness or Christ-likeness? Of course there exists a correlation but maybe not quite as directly as we have sometimes imagined. Holiness of mind and heart (piety) might be classified as a product of our faith walk.
As we grow in our personal relationship with Christ and follow the guidance of the Holy Spirit and surrender to the will of God for our lives, we become more like Christ in our thoughts, actions, conversation, plans, desires, and so forth. However, it is a process…a continuous process until we arrive home in heaven, and our transformation is completed.
God hates sin. And even though we as Christians may try really hard, the fact remains that we still sin and fall short of God’s glory. So how are we any different than the carnal world without Christ? The people in the world sin, and we Christians sin.
The difference is J-E-S-U-S! When we place our faith (genuine faith/trust) in the person and the work of Jesus Christ on the cross, we are “declared” righteous by God. Christ has become the sacrifice for our sins (past, present, future) once and for all. He has paid the penalty for our sin (which is death). Our sin debt account has been marked “paid in full” by God due to Christ’s death for us.
God has judged us and pardoned us, forgiven us, restored us…not because we are “good enough” in ourselves but because Christ has made us “good enough.” How are we made “good enough?” Through faith in Christ – through faith in who He is and what He did for us (His atoning work on the cross).