Rahab: Cleansed

Come now, and let us reason together, says the Lord, ‘Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson,

they shall be as wool.' Isaiah 1:18

Rahab was cleansed through and through. Are you? That’s the most incredible thing about salvation. It purifies us from the inside out and makes us not only whole but new. But, of all its benefits, knowing that I’m justified, forgiven, and reconciled to God is enormous.

As most of us, if you’ve done things that you’re not proud of, knowing the depth of God’s gift may seem particularly beneficial to you. There’s nothing like being free from the guilt and shame of sin. If you’ve ever felt guilty, you’ll agree that a clear conscience is everything. What you may not understand is this. It’s really beneficial to everyone because by virtue of the fact that you’re human is error enough. You’re as guilty as Rahab, even though I’ll bet you never ran a brothel or exploited your body for money! Read that again. Yes, that’s right! All of humanity, even you, need cleansing because all of us were conceived in sin, born of a woman, and although God loved us, we were wretched in God’s sight and needed His cleansing from the womb. And Rahab got hers!

How and when did Rahab’s cleansing occur? Like it happens for all of us. Rahab believed, and through that faith, it was accomplished. It that sounds too easy, the simplicity of salvation has been a stumbling block from its roots. That’s because most of us are performance-based and works or goal-oriented people, and faith, alone, not only seems too simple but idyllic, almost mystic. For many, that makes it not relatable and unnecessary or nonessential. The most doubtful among us deny God, and faith’s existence and worth, as well as its performance. That’s because faith is wholly a spiritual work that we can’t generate within ourselves, buy, earn, nor control. Hebrews 11:1 defines it for us. According to God, faith is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen. Since we can’t see faith nor touch or feel it and can’t bring it about through human effort, the unrepentant confess the opposite. These declare: “There is no God and faith is not real.”

But, Rahab told a different story. She knew and experienced otherwise, as all of us when we come to faith. The moment God reaches down from heaven and claims you for Himself, a vessel of worth and purpose, everything changes. Instantly, a spiritual transaction that’s hard to define occurs accompanied by that authentic cleansing and purification that only God can accomplish. Simultaneously your identity and destiny change – you’re not only His but heaven-bound - you are a child of God!

Although you can’t explain it, you know that it’s true! Suddenly, your point of reference is God and not self because you’ve been apprehended by the love of God and it fills you. And if that weren’t enough, it’s a complete work. Salvation is a one and done that never needs repeating. Once God’s Spirit indwells you, He will never be removed. Why? Because in so doing, God has exacted His perfect and pleasing will concerning you. Truth be told, you’ve belonged to Him before time began. Yes, He does it all and will see you through!

Believer, His plan has been redeeming you from the foundation of the world. It’s more than that, though. His work in salvation is so profound and purposeful that He awakens you spiritually and enables you to believe. Apart from that divine revelation, you’d remain unredeemed. That’s grace upon grace, and we can never believe apart from His electing love and grace. We are saved by grace through faith. Then, too, and even so, that is His gift! As you can see, from start to finish, God’s work of salvation belongs exclusively to Him.

The Bible records Rahab’s confession as follows. “Now before they lay down, she came up to them on the roof, 9 and said to the men: ‘I know [I believe] that the Lord has given you the land…, 11And as soon as we heard these things, our hearts [mine, too] melted; neither did there remain any more courage in anyone because of you, for the Lord your God, He is God in heaven above and on [the] earth beneath. (Joshua 2:8-9; 11).

Essentially, Rahab’s salvation confession is like ours. Her story and sinful past typify the spiritual journey and transformation of one who comes to faith, is cleansed and forgiven. Ladies, only God can reveal His identity and purpose to us. Even though we may not see it that way, it’s the same with all of us. The moment before grace came, you, too, were as lost and helpless as Rahab – separated from God and full of guilt and shame, even if you didn’t admit it and never confessed it.

What’s the takeaway? God is still saving to the uttermost. He is still bringing His perfect plan to performance in those He has called and chosen from the foundation of the world – including Rahab and us. Remember, Jericho had many residents, but we only know the name of one – Rahab. But watch this. Before time began, her name was firmly written in the Lambs’ book of life and confirmed and verified on the day of her salvation. Sweet friends, make no mistake. There is no substitute for God’s unfailing love and perfect plan concerning you. All the riches in the world pale in light of God’s amazing love and perfect grace. Indeed, though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be (they are) as white as snow!

Prayer: Mighty and gracious Lord, thank you for sending Jesus to save us. May we never loose sight of the fact that you have accomplished what we could never do in and of ourselves. Keep us humble, Lord, and eternally grateful for your tremendous gift of salvation and plan to redeem us. Amen and amen.

An extra promise:

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away;

behold, all things have become new” (2 Corinthians 5:17)