Rahab did not earn her salvation through her works. Even after she hid the spies on her roof she still pleaded for mercy. Her salvation was dependent on God’s grace. But because she had faith, she was willing to do what the spies told her. And so she tied the cord round her window. From Joshua 6:22–25 we also know that she must have pleaded with her family to come and stay in her home because her father, her mother and her brother were saved with her.

Seeing the difference that faith made to Rahab, we should ask ourselves if our faith makes the same difference in our lives? We know far more of God than Rahab did: we know that he cares for us so that no hair can fall from our heads (Matthew 10:29–31). We know that by his Spirit he wants to conform us into the image of his Son (Romans 8:29). We know what fruit the Spirit seeks to produce in our lives (Galatians 5:22–23).

God wants to change us so that we can bring our drinking habits under control (Ephesians 5:18). He wants us to be patient with our wives, to seek peace rather than explode in fits of anger (Ephesians 4:31–32). If we’re lazy and prone to idleness, he wants us to start doing things, to work so that we can provide for ourselves and for others (2 Thessalonians 3:6–12). If we’re someone who is constantly moaning and complaining, he wants to change us into those who rejoice and are friendly (Galatians 5:22–23; Philippians 4:4–7).

True faith will be seen in lives that are changed and transformed. Not just big and bold actions—we often talk about how we spend our money, our Bible reading habits and our prayer lives—but also small daily changes that make it easier for your husband, or your wife, or your brother or sister to live with you. It’s a great joy when we see these changes happening in our own lives and the lives of others. Those are the kinds of good works in which God wants his people to walk.