Five Characteristics of Faith Displayed in Rahab

By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the spies with peace. that...: Or, that were disobedient - Hebrews 11:31

    “By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the spies with peace.” Hebrews 11:31

    Saving faith, that faith by which chosen redeemed sinners receive God’s free salvation in Christ, is a faith that is displayed in the radical change it works in the lives of regenerate sinners. Without question, God’s saints in this world are sinners still, and humbly acknowledge and confess their sin before him (1 John 1:7-10). There is no aspect of our lives and no act performed by us that is not constantly marred by sin. Yet, faith in Christ radically changes the lives of saved men and women. This is clearly demonstrated in Rahab’s faith.

    Singular Faith

    Rahab's faith was a singular faith. The city of Jericho was about to be attacked. Within its walls there were hosts of people of all classes and characters. They knew that if Joshua and the children of Israel came against them, they would all be put to death. They had heard clearly what God had done and would do.

    Yet, strange as it may seem, there was not another person in the entire city, young or old, male or female, who believed God and sought his mercy, except this woman who had been a harlot. Rahab and Rahab alone believed God!

    If we would believe God, there is a sense in which we, too, must be singular in believing him. Faith is always an individual matter. Each of us must believe God for ourselves. Faith always stands alone. It is not dependent upon and does not seek reinforcement from others. Faith always swims upstream, against the tide. It is never the way approved by the majority. Faith always stands by itself before God. It is never the result of group therapy!

    Steadfast Faith

    Rahab’s faith was also a steadfast faith. Her faith stood firm in the midst of trouble. She believed God when everything she hoped for seemed most unlikely. And she believed God to the end. When Jericho was gone, when the storm was over, she was right where she was when the walls began to fall. She was in the house marked by blood, kept by a covenant, and secured by the very Word of God!

    Self-denying Faith

    And this woman's faith was a self-denying faith. She dared to risk her life for the sake of the spies. She knew that if they were found in her house she would be put to death. Yet she ran the risk of being put to death to save these two men. True faith is always self-denying faith.

    Years ago, I read this statement and wrote it down. I do not know who the person was and do not care. I have seen his face many times. He said, "I have got a good religion; it's the right sort of religion; I do not know that it costs me a cent a year; and yet I believe I am as truly a religious man as anybody.” That is the kind of religion you get from Babylon, not from God. That faith which is the gift and operation of God is a faith that sacrifices all to Christ, and never looks upon it as a sacrifice (Luke 14:25-33).

    Sympathizing Faith

    Rahab’s faith was a sympathizing faith. She was not content to go to heaven alone. She desired the mercy and grace of God for her family, and got it for them (Acts 16:31-34; Rom. 9:1-3; 10:1).

    George Whitefield put into words what Rahab displayed in her concern for her family. He wrote, "As soon as I was converted, I wanted to be the means of the conversion of all that I had ever known.” Religion that has no concern for spreading itself and makes no effort to do so is religion that is not worth having. All God’s people are his witnesses, evangelists sent forth by him to make disciples.

    Sanctifying Faith

    Let me show you one more thing about Rahab’s faith. It was sanctifying faith. Rahab was no longer a harlot. Faith in Christ brings with it both justification and sanctification. The grace of God that brings salvation teaches all who experience it to live graciously, to live as unto the Lord (Tit. 2:1-14). When God saves a person even his dog benefits from it, because the man becomes a better master.