Andy Stanley on Rahab
Rahab’s story illustrates the wonder and beauty of God’s grace with fairy-tale drama. But for all its uniqueness, her story is not so different from each of ours. Before Israel showed up outside the walls of Jericho, Rahab wore a label. Her neighbors, fellow citizens, customers, and even her parents knew her as Rahab the harlot. The people of Jericho may not have attached to the label the same things we do, but I have no doubt she felt the indignity of her occupation. Regardless of their culture or religion, women typically do not become prostitutes unless they are forced to. But when given the opportunity between dying with her pagan countrymen and surrendering to God, she chose the latter. As a result, she eventually received a new label: Rahab the mother of kings.
In some ways Rahab’s story is our story. Each of us has a label. You may have had your label concealed for most of your life and prefer that it remain a secret. You deftly keep the people from your past separated from those who know you now. You avoid reminiscing too much because your memories and your old label cause you shame. In fact, your label may cause you to shy away from approaching God. Perhaps your label is the reason you hesitate to step foot inside church. If that’s the case, consider this.
Isn’t it interesting that when the Israelite spies offered to spare Rahab’s life, they said nothing about her lifestyle? Abandoning her trade was not part of the deal. Changing her life wasn’t discussed. She acknowledged Israel’s God as the most powerful God and then hid his servants. That was it. Rahab’s label was not an obstacle to God. And neither is yours! The reality and the embarrassment your label reflects is not an obstacle to God’s grace. You, like Rahab, are invited as you are, label and all. You, like Israel, have been invited to join God in a relationship initiated by faith, not adherence to a set of rules.
This is the way of grace. And this is the way it has been from the beginning. Grace doesn’t require people with embarrassing labels to shed those labels as a prerequisite. Grace is what empowers us to do so. Grace doesn’t demand. Grace assists. When you look at Rahab’s story within the context of God’s patience with the nations inhabiting the promised land, the message is unmistakable: grace is slow to judge and quick to deliver.
This is true at a personal level as well. When it comes to your labels, current or past, God is slow to judge and more than willing to deliver. Not after you’ve freed yourself or distanced yourself from your embarrassing labels, but as part of the process. In fact, grace provides you with labels of its own: Forgiven. Accepted. Loved.
We don’t know how long it took Rahab to completely shake her past. We don’t know how long it was before she no longer viewed herself through the lens of her past behavior. My guess is that it was a process—a process that took time but that ended with her fully embracing her new life, her new identity, and her new standing with God. In the same way, it may take you some time before you can put away your label once and for all. But in the meantime, I want to encourage you to begin renewing your mind to the new labels that are yours through the grace of your heavenly Father.
To help you along that path, I’ve written a short prayer that is simply a way of verbalizing your recognition and acceptance of God’s invitation to you. If this strikes a chord, I would encourage you to copy it down and read it over and over. Old labels don’t fade fast. And sometimes it takes a while for new ones to stick as well.
Heavenly Father, I believe that your grace is more powerful than my label. I believe that Christ died to pay the penalty for the sin my label represents. I believe you are offering me a new label. Forgiven. Accepted.Loved. Today I declare that what you say about me is true. I am forgiven.I am accepted. I am loved. Teach me to live my life in accordance with who you say I am
