By Dr. Jannie L. Rogers
There was something that T.D. Jakes said in his book, Woman Thou Art Loosed!, that caught this writer's attention: "Faith is an equal opportunity business. There is no discrimination in faith, and it will work for you. When you approach God, don't worry about the fact that you are a woman. Never become discouraged on that basis when it comes to seeking Him. You will only get as much from God as you have faith." God wants to see your faith, and faith needs action. There was a woman that Christians in this day would not have thought much of. People would have allowed her in some churches but probably felt that she could not be too holy because of her background. Her name was Rahab. The Bible said that she was a harlot. In this day, she is called a prostitute. Rahab took two men who came to search out the promised land and hid them (Joshua 2:4). Later that night, she went to the men and told them how she knew that God was with them. Then she said unto them. "Now, therefore, I beg you, swear to me by the Lord, since I have shown you kindness unto my father's house, and give me a true token, and spare my father, my mother, my brothers, my sisters, and all that they have, and deliver our lives from death." (Joshua 2:12-13) When the Israelites came to destroy the city, Rahab and her whole family were saved.
According to T.D. Jakes, there are two contrasting women mentioned in the faith 'Hall of Fame.' Sarah, Abraham's wife, was included. But how did a prostitute get to be honored? She was listed because God does not honor morality, He honors faith. That was the one thing Sarah and Rahab had in common; nothing else. There was no similarity in their lifestyles, just their faith. God saw something in Sarah that He also saw in Rahab. "Do not accept the excuse that because you have lived like a Rahab, you cannot have the faith experience." It matters not what your past has been. He wants to see your faith.
DR. JANNIE L. ROGERS is a retired teacher from Daytona State College who taught a GED course to female inmates at the Volusia County Correctional facility. As a Pastor she has dedicated her life learning about Jesus and teaching others about the value of His Word.