A Justified Prostitute

James(ESV) 2:25”And in the same way was not also Rahab the prostitute justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out by another way?”
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Rahab was “justified” by works! By standards of those days, she was in a vile wicked profession. Her life was like that of the pagans who even used prostitution in their religious worship. I've used several words here that are needs complete understanding. Perhaps some can apply their life with Rahab's and understand the mercy and grace of God!
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Her profession was prostitution. There are two definitions for “prostitute” and both apply to Rahab. She had sex for pay and on top of that, she misplaced her talents, doing what was wrong in the eyes of the Lord.
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Let's look first at “sex for pay”. Most women (and men as well) who engage in prostitution do not consider themselves a prostitute. It may be that they don't walk the streets or prow the bars seeking sex for pay, but in effect, they prostitute themselves in other ways. Women may end the evening by consummating it with sex. After all, the man showed her a good time, and expects something in return (we can deal with that at a later date). What's wrong with returning a favor? That's prostitution!
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Men and women get addicted to illicit drugs. It's an expensive habit. Many resort to providing sex in exchange for drugs. It's common and many are led astray. Casual sex is NOT a victimless activity! Not only do both parties open up the possibility of passing along lifelong destructive diseases, but also feelings and respect are involved. A strong component is that this young girl has parents and other relatives who hate to see the self-destructive and humiliating activity. Likewise, for young males. On top of that God is sorely disappointed!
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The most prevalent form of prostitution today is fornication (sex outside marriage). Girls will provide sex to suitors in exchange for the potential of marriage. Men today use the disparity in the number of males to females in order to “use” women through empty hope and promises. Women need to get out of that viscous cycle of being used by one man after another!
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The second definition of prostitution is using “misplaced talents do do wrong”. This is the bar scene and like activities. Whereas, if a woman values her self-respect, bar trolling is misplacing her talents. She's worth more than that! If the girl (or guy) is a Christian, her body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, and she is virtually taking God with her in an illicit relationship. She not only sins against her own body, but also against God!
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1 Corinthians (KJV) 6:18 “Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body.”
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The next part of James 2:25 says that Rahab was “justified by works”. We need to get around the idea that “work” is the nominal definition of the word. She wasn't justified by working in the fields, cleaning house or even providing refuge for her guests. Her “work” was putting the truth of God in her heart into constructive behavior. She endangered her own life because she obeyed God! The “obedience” part was her “work”.
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Here's her “work” by faith in action:
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Joshua 2:1”And Joshua the son of Nun sent two men secretly from Shittim as spies, saying, "Go, view the land, especially Jericho." And they went and came into the house of a prostitute whose name was Rahab and lodged there. 2And it was told to the king of Jericho, "Behold, men of Israel have come here tonight to search out the land." 3Then the king of Jericho sent to Rahab, saying, "Bring out the men who have come to you, who entered your house, for they have come to search out all the land." 4But the woman had taken the two men and hidden them. And she said, "True, the men came to me, but I did not know where they were from. 5And when the gate was about to be closed at dark, the men went out. I do not know where the men went. Pursue them quickly, for you will overtake them." 6But she had brought them up to the roof and hid them with the stalks of flax that she had laid in order on the roof. 7So the men pursued after them on the way to the Jordan as far as the fords. And the gate was shut as soon as the pursuers had gone out.
8Before the men lay down, she came up to them on the roof 9and said to the men, "I know that the LORD has given you the land, and that the fear of you has fallen upon us, and that all the inhabitants of the land melt away before you. 10For we have heard how the LORD dried up the water of the Red Sea before you when you came out of Egypt, and what you did to the two kings of the Amorites who were beyond the Jordan, to Sihon and Og, whom you devoted to destruction. 11And as soon as we heard it, our hearts melted, and there was no spirit left in any man because of you, for the LORD your God, he is God in the heavens above and on the earth beneath. 12Now then, please swear to me by the LORD that, as I have dealt kindly with you, you also will deal kindly with my father’s house, and give me a sure sign 13that you will save alive my father and mother, my brothers and sisters, and all who belong to them, and deliver our lives from death." 14And the men said to her, "Our life for yours even to death! If you do not tell this business of ours, then when the LORD gives us the land we will deal kindly and faithfully with you."
15Then she let them down by a rope through the window, for her house was built into the city wall, so that she lived in the wall.”
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Rahab had heard of the miracles of God and she had faith. Endangering her own life, she hid the Jewish spies, saving their life because they were men of God. She was “justified” for her works... putting her faith in action!

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“Justified!” What is justification? She was declared free of blame. Free of blame for what? Her sins were forgiven. God forgave her prostitution. He wiped her slate clean. God looks at the heart. Although Rahab had an impure body, she had a pure heart. She obeyed God and did His will. Whereas, Rahab “worked” in obedience because that was the “economy” of the time, we get off easier. All we have to do is believe in the vicarious death of Christ. He died so we wouldn't have to spiritually die! He did that on the cross in pain and agony for me... and you. He was innocent, but sacrificed Himself! Accept that sacrifice and you will also be “justified”! It's that easy.
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Satan will tell you “No!” You've been too bad!” Scripture tells us that those to whom God forgives the most will love Him the most. I certainly have reason to love Him a lot and so do you! Rahab was a prostitute, a forgiven prostitute. She gave up her wicked life and God still took care of her. She had faith that God would provide and God did! Not only that, but Rehab, the prostitute, became the ancestor of Jesus. What an honor!
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Please listen to the Lord and have the work of faith. It's a decision that offers eternal life. By not making a decision in God's favor, you'll be doomed to eternal punishment. It's just not worth it! Humble yourself now. Ask God for deliverance from sin and he's promised that you will be saved by faith!