Joshua 2:9 And she said unto the men, I know that the LORD hath given you the land, and that your terror is fallen upon us, and that all the inhabitants of the land faint because of you. :10 For we have heard how the LORD dried up the water of the Red sea for you, when ye came out of Egypt; and what ye did unto the two kings of the Amorites, that were on the other side Jordan, Sihon and Og, whom ye utterly destroyed. :11 And as soon as we had heard these things, our hearts did melt, neither did there remain any more courage in any man, because of you: for the LORD your God, he is God in heaven above, and in earth beneath.
These are the words of Ruth to the spies that lodged with her that night. It is the testimony of her fear that lead her to faith, that lead her to salvation that lead her to action . Long before the spies found a lodging place with her The Word of God had found a lodging place in her heart. Those stories of how God fought for his people brought fear to her heart that lead her to faith and salvation. Now we know that salvation is BY grace and THROUGH faith according to Ephesians 2:8. It was the grace of God that brought those two spies to her doorstep and it was her faith that caused her to hide them and ultimately be saved from the wrath to come along with her family. Never let anyone tell you faith isn't involved in salvation, also never let anyone tell you that grace isn't involved in salvation when his grace meets your faith the result will be salvation. She, like Noah, moved with fear to the saving of her household. It was the fear of God and coming judgment that moved her toward safety. Preachers we need not hold anything back for fear of offending someone or scaring someone but on the contrary we ought to warn people of the Judgment of God that is coming. Not long from now our world will be facing what Jericho was faced with, a complete over throw by the captain of our Salvation. When that day comes they'll be no mercy showed except for the ones who made preparations like Rahab. Rahab is a perfect example of salvation. Her faith came by hearing and her hearing was by the word of God(the stories she heard about God). Her faith then moves her to action.
That faith caused her to go and make sure none of her family would be outside the house when that day came. Joshua 2:18 Behold, when we come into the land, thou shalt bind this line of scarlet thread in the window which thou didst let us down by: and thou shalt bring thy father, and thy mother, and thy brethren, and all thy father's household, home unto thee.
That is exactly what she did. She went out and told her family that what they've said about God is true and if your not inside the house when that day comes there will be no hope for you. James said that faith without works is dead. If you tell me that you believe in a literal hell and in the literal judgment of God and you've not felt obligated to share the message God has given you with others then what ales you dear friend. God is returning one day and when that day comes there will be safety for only the ones who have by grace trough faith excepted His Son Jesus Christ. Have you no burden for your children? Have you no burden for your Spouses? Can we go about living our life while our families perish? Do all that you can to let them know that there is a refuge and His name is Jesus.
I'm thankful that I had a family that cared enough to tell me the truth. That without Christ there is no hope. It was the fear of God that came by the Word of God that moved me to trust Jesus for full salvation. Rahab believed that she would perish without the help of God and so did I. The spies or messengers in her case told her of a solution that if she would bind the scarlet thread in her window that when judgment came she and all that was in that house would be saved.
Friend our stories not much different, God is coming to judge this world. The walls of Jericho will fall but I'm so glad there is a place of refuge from the coming judgment, a place of safety from His wrath. His name is Jesus, He's the only safety we have, He's the only one that can save us. I'm Glad that as a eight year old boy I entered in to that resting place, His place of safety. Now when He comes I know that I'm in the only safe place in this World, that is in Christ.
Where do you stand today friend? If God was to return to this earth today would you be found in Him or would you perish with all those who are without? Consider hell, consider judgment, you say these things are to unpleasant to think of. I say they are to unpleasant not to think of. Do you believe the Bible? Do you believe the words of Jesus? If your answer is yes then you believe there is a judgment and there is a hell. Let fear move you to faith in Jesus. After all " the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom" Some may say your trying to scare people. That's not the case at all, we are trying to warn people. It's not the messenger that brings fear but the message. The question is will you believe their report?
1 Corinthians 15:22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.
Ephesians 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
Act 16:29 Then he called for a light, and sprang in, and came trembling, and fell down before Paul and Silas, :30 And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? :31 And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.
Jesus Saves, Jesus Saves!!
Onward Christian Soldier!!