The Scarlet Thread of Salvation

Grace is extended by God to lost sinners and must be received by obedient faith.

The depravity of the Canaanites led to God declaring them all to be wiped out.

They were an immoral, idolatrous, and murderous people.

Grace is Extended to Sinners

God in His grace brought the spies to the house of a woman who came to believe in Him.

Rahab was a harlot, her sin was evident from her lifestyle. Yet, God extended grace to her.

God’s grace is greater than YOUR sin!

Grace was extended in spite of the life that she had led, not because of it!

Rahab had long before heard of God’s works and had come to believe that Yahweh (the LORD) is the one true God.

When the Word of God is heard grace is extended to the sinner! “Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God.”

Grace Must Be Received by Faith

Hebrews 11:31 ESV

31 By faith Rahab the prostitute did not perish with those who were disobedient, because she had given a friendly welcome to the spies.

In receiving the spies and sheltering them, she expressed faith.

Joshua 2:11 ESV

11 And 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.

Have you received the grace of God?

Faith is Expressed in Obedience

She was to follow a simple command - the scarlet thread.

Not the same as the rope, likely something the spies brought with them.

Scarlet was used symbolically in the Tabernacle.

That scarlet cord because the expression of her new identity, and brought protection to all who likewise fled to her house.

That scarlet cord changed her destiny - linking her forever to the redemption that comes only by faith in the shed blood of Christ. (David’s great-great grandmother)

Matthew 1:5 ESV

5 and Salmon the father of Boaz by Rahab, and Boaz the father of Obed by Ruth, and Obed the father of Jesse,

In Christ, you have a new identity!