A Great Story

The end of James 2:

You see that a man is justified by works and not by faith alone. In the same way, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out by another way? For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead.

What if the men who needed shelter showed partiality in this story and turned away from Rahab (a harlot!) because of her reputation?  They would have missed out on one of the most incredible stories in the bible.

This lady received these men and sent them out another way, in order to protect them.  She put her faith in action with her works.  Her life of being a harlot no longer defined her. Instead, her faith in God and his people did.  And this was her saving grace.

What a great story to end a chapter on partiality and favoritism.

We never know who might walk in our door, sit beside us on a chair, or stand next to us in line, and unless we actually look and take notice of the person and not the outward appearance, we just might miss out on a great event.

But if we look at the person, see them as God sees them, and offer them a seat of honor, we just might be blessed beyond measure.

Favoritism with partiality is sin.  Faith with works is life.