Act of Grace

UV 991/10,000 Act of Grace Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way? James 2 v 25 James raises the question of whether it was faith that justifies a person or whether it is his or her works in this uni-verse. Rahab had saved the spies of Israel sent by Joshua the commander from being captured by hiding them in her house and letting them out on the city wall. She was an outcast in the city and lived on its outermost periphery, virtually on the city wall. But she had heard of the amazing and awesome victory the Jewish slaves had over the mighty Egyptian army that had been sent in pursuit to re-capture them. She had the common sense to understand that it could have happened only on account of the power of the God that Israel worshipped. She knew that same God would back the Israelites in overcoming the besieged city of Jericho too. It was no act of treachery but as she believed and feared the God of Israel that she decided to throw her weight too behind the winning side- Israel. It was her faith, however small and nascent, based on the testimony of the Israelites that had led her to take the risk of shielding the Jewish spies. It was her faith that led to her works. Without her act of saving them, her faith would not have been evident or proven. Similarly, though we cannot ever be justified by our faith, our works make evident and prove our faith. Faith is the good root and good works are the fruit. An act of grace is a combination of faith and good works like that of Rahab. Rahab did the act without any payment being sought or any reward being in sight. The Hebrews kept faith with Rahab for when they took over Jericho, they remembered their promise to her that she and her household would be spared. The scarlet rope she had tied to her balcony window was the sign and mark of identification. Scarlet is a symbol of royalty. In retrospect, it was a sign that she was going to be the forebear of the eternal King of all mankind. Despite her evil and shameful past as a prostitute who sold her body to make a living, her faith in the God of Israel and not in the prowess of Israelites led to her entire family being spared from certain death. Her faith redeemed her past and transformed her future forever. She became the good root in whose lineage was born the ultimate and eternal Saviour of the world. God is no man’s debtor. For every good work we do for Him or on account of our faith in Him, He blesses and rewards us in known and unknown, visible and invisible ways. About my own house, He has testified, “ You are like Rahab for you have helped so many in their distress and gave them hope and comfort. You have shielded my people in times of danger. Therefore, I will bless and save your entire family.” Even if we have given a glass of water to a believer in Jesus, He would remember and repay us for that act of kindness. God’s rewards are disproportionate to the cost of the act of grace that prompted His favour. Prateep V Philip