Every Woman Series (Part Three Cont’d) Rahab; “Your past doesn’t define you, God can use anyone!”

From the desk of Dr. Robert L. Taylor, Th.D. No matter what our past whispers to us, no matter what our past holds, our past is the reason Jesus was born. What whispers did Rahab hear? Condemnation? Fear? Shame? Worthlessness? Too many mistakes, too much regret and too late for change? The good news is that no choice we ever make, no scars ever inflicted, no drink taken or words flung or body misused can keep us from the saving grace of Jesus. Here’s the deal. Our past is never good enough to earn God’s salvation nor shocking enough to keep us from it. I wonder what whispers might be keeping you from letting God use you mightily. What is the enemy bringing up from years ago or even last week to taunt that you’re disqualified? God redefines those with a past. How does God redefine those who call on Him for salvation? Paul tells us, “Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come” (2 Corinthians 5:17). God’s redefining of the Christian is a complete and radical change! Concerning Rahab’s faith in God, the writer of Hebrews says, “By faith the prostitute Rahab did not perish along with those who were disobedient, after she had welcomed the spies in peace” (Hebrews 11:31). When scripture mentions Rahab, she’s almost always called Rahab the harlot except in Matthew 1:5. Matthew calls her Rahab, mother of Boaz. She becomes the great-great-grandmother of King David! God redefined Rahab —from a fallen woman to a chosen woman, from a baddie girl to a bride, from a mess to a mother and from harlot to ancestor of the Messiah. God redefines you and me as well. Our shame? Paul says to us, “Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1). Rahab’s name in Jesus’ family tree amplifies that: God saves those of us with a past. God uses those of us with a past. God redefines those of us with a past. Be encouraged!