That what she did was works of faith according to the writer to the Hebrews:

Hebrews 11:31 "By faith the harlot Rahab did not perish with those who did not believe, when she had received the spies with peace."

James, in choosing to use the example of Rahab to illustrate faith working, chose a person who had nothing in common with Abraham, other than a faith that worked. The contrast between the patriarch and Rahab is vividly striking.

	Abraham was a pilgrim of faith - Rahab was a prostitute of Jericho.
	Abraham proved his faith by works after long years of experience with God - Rahab was confronted in her pagan life with the need to make a decision and work of faith.
	Abraham was spoken to by the Lord and granted appearances of the Lord - Rahab had faith come to her by hearing of the dreadful, miraculous acts of God (Joshua 2:10 ). The same news brought trembling and fear to her nation.

What Rahab had like Abraham was working faith. By faith Rahab took action that put her life at risk in aiding the Israel spies, and sending them safely on their way (Joshua 2:15 ). Faith was expressed in fully carrying out the conditions agreed on with the messengers of Israel (Joshua 2:17-21 ). The action of placing the scarlet cord in the window of her house, gathering her family to her house, extracting silence from them, so that Israel was not compromised.

All her actions were the endeavours of faith. She was justified by the kind of faith which results in works. By faith she walked a new life-style. She became one of God's people of promise - became a wife and mother in Israel - she became ancestor of David (and Jesus) because of her faith's committed action (Matthew 1:5; Luke 3:32 ).

James 2:26 "For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also."

By likening a dead faith to a dead body, because it has no spirit in it, is saying those who make only an intellectual assent to the teaching of Scripture, have a faith that is a powerless form, and they know nothing of their spirit made alive unto God through a living faith in Christ Jesus. It is also implied that their powerless form of faith has been dressed up with religious ceremonies and performances - just as one would prepare a dead body for viewing. But the absence of the spirit of life betrays the body to be what it is, an empty, lifeless shell. So without the deeds of a living faith, faith that has no action is exposed as dead faith.

Faith and action are inseparable in true spiritual life. This kind of faith is describable as living faith.

	Living faith is that which is built on the Person of our Lord Jesus Christ (John 9:24,25,35-38 ).
	Living faith is that which lays hold on Jesus Christ as Saviour, and actively obeys Him as sovereign Lord (Acts 9:5-6; John 2:5 ).
	Living faith practices obedient consent to the truth of Scripture, applying its directives to conduct that is pleasing to God, yielding his life to righteousness in the power of Christ and energy of the aiding Holy Spirit (Romans 6:11-14 ).
	Living faith brings radical change in behaviour towards others, as it happened to Zacchaeus: Luke 19:8 "And Zacchaeus stood, and said unto the Lord; Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold."
	The person with living faith experiences the radical change of a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17 ).
	One with living faith makes Christ visible to others by walking as He walked (Romans 6:4; 1 John 2:6 ), and emulating Him in going about doing good (Acts 10:38 ).
	The living deeds of living faith result in a person who is crucified with Christ and in whom Christ lives - daily living by faith in the Son of God (Galatians 2:20 ).
	Living faith does not doubt the triumph of action taken in God. Such are confident knowing that they are working with God who will finish what He has begun (Philippians 1:6; 2:12-13 ).

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QUESTIONS FOR GROUP INTERACTION

How would you explain Rahab having a working faith? What actions of her faith do you relate to best? (James 2:25 ).