For Your Safety Stay In the House

Joshua 2:18-19
(18) unless, when we enter the land, you have tied this scarlet cord in the window through which you let us down, and unless you have brought your father and mother, your brothers and all your family into your house. (19) If any of them go outside your house into the street, their blood will be on their own heads; we will not be responsible. As for those who are in the house with you, their blood will be on our head if a hand is laid on them.

Joshua sent spies to gather information from Jericho before they attack it. The spies entered a prostitute’s house. The prostitute was so willing and ready to welcome them and hide them from Jericho government officials who had spotted them. The prostitute was not kind to the spies because they were her customers, far from it. The prostitute knew something about the spies and she believed it.

Joshua 2:8-11 is the confession the prostitute made to the two spies. She told them that the entire Jericho believed that the God of Israel will take over Jericho. She said that this is based on how God had defeated other nations that stood against Israelites. She even gave examples of Egypt, Sihon, etc. She tells them that the entire city of Jericho is in deep fear for what is coming upon them.

Everybody in Jericho believed that the God of Israel is a true and mighty God. Everybody in Jericho believed that there is no other god like the great God of Israel. But they did not put their faith into practice. They believed without acting on what they believed. Faith that is not put into practice is a dead faith, good for nothing James 2:17. Believing that church is good, God is good, but you do not attend that church is a waste, because that faith is dead. Faith needs to be put into action.

To believe in God, the Bible, His church, etc., is of no value if you cannot put it into practice. Such faith is still inferior to the faith that demons and evil spirits have. Faith without practice makes you worse than evil spirits. This is because, evil spirits believe in God and even tremble at the thought of God, James 2:19. If faith was to be rated, those who believe without practicing what they believe are performing poorer than demons. You believe the Bible is God’s word, but do you read it? You believe that the church and prayers and places of blessings, but do you attend and engage in prayer? Or are evils spirits, demons, and satanic forces doing better than you? Unless you put your faith into practice, you are no good!

James 2:25 tells us that Rahab the Jericho prostitute was considered righteous because she put her faith into practice. She believed in the God of Israel and went ahead to betray her nation in obedience to the God of Israel. When you find the true God, you are under no obligation to continue obeying the false gods of your past religion, tribe, parents, etc. When you find the true beliefs, you immediately abandon the past false beliefs and put into practice the new faith. When you find the true church, you immediately stop attending that church that had half-truths and phony explanations on doctrines they did not follow. Rahab the prostitute immediately changed allegiance from the falsehood of Jericho to the truth of Israel. When will you make a similar change?

If faithfulness to the true God, true teachings and the true church will mean that you betray some people, so be it. You cant quit alcohol unless you betray fellow drunkards and quit. You cant quit sexual immorality unless you betray your comrades in sin. You cant adopt new austerity and investment measures unless you betray your financial commitments that were addictive and wasting monies. Be strong enough to betray and make good moves.

The first step in joining the right church is betraying the old one. Rahab betrayed her nation and all it stood for including its religious beliefs. That is why the Bible records that God counted her righteous based on her actions, not just faith. The rest of Jericho had the same faith, but they did not put it into action.

The Spies promised Rahab the prostitute that when Israel attacks Jericho, she will be saved from her house. Whoever will believe her faith in the God of Israel and come to her house, will also be saved. The evidence of believing the God of Israel is going into the house of Rahab the prostitute. Any other house may be better in many ways, but those in it will die. Only Rahab’s house is the house of salvation.

Rahab’s house may have many points against it. It may not be as old as other houses. It may not be respected in the city. It may be a house of shame. It may have the minority. It may be questionable. Whatever you think of Rahab’s house may be true, but it remains to be the only house in Jericho where anyone who cares to be saved can go in and get saved.

Rahab’s house is like the true church. Jericho had its worship, leaders, and protocol. But Rahab’s house was the place of salvation. You can imagine no religious leader would have accepted to enter Rahab’s house for salvation. Elders in society claim to think clearly and deeply and the result would be, they would not go to Rahab’s house. Rich people would abhor the idea of going to that low-class house when they have state-of-the-art churches. Yet, only Rahab’s house was anointed as the house of salvation.

The true church may be different and opposed to the established churches of our time, but it is the only place of salvation. The true church may not be a place attractive to the rich. The true church may be a recent establishment. The true church may not convince the so-called wise elders of the society. Yet that true church is the only ordained body of Christ whose believers will enter into eternal life. Only Rahab’s house!

The spies promised Rahab that anyone found in her house will be saved. The message she was to give her friends and relatives was – stay in the house. It may be smelly but stay in the house. As you come in, people may question your sanity, but stay in the house. It may be stuffy but stay in the house. It may not be popular but stay in the house. It may lack many things, but stay in the house. It may seem shaky and headed to fall, but it won’t, just stay in the house. Your salvation is to stay in this house. For your safety stay in the house!

The church is that house. Rahab’s house. It collects people with the reputation of Rahab and even worse. It may not be the best by human standards but stay in the house. Whatever it is just stay in the house. For your safety stay in the house!

Dear God, keep us safe in the house – the true church. Give us the wisdom to identify Rahab’s house. Give us grace and patience to stay in there, in Jesus’ name, Amen!

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