Devotionals by Raul Ries
FRIDAY July 17, 2026
Justified by Works
Likewise, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out another way? For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.
James 2:25-26
James gave another illustration of faith and works seen through the life of Rahab who protected the spies sent by Joshua. They went to spy out the land of Jericho. When they came into the city, she gave them refuge in her house. Rahab exhibited true works through faith when she hid the spies on the roof and covered them with flax (Joshua 2:1-15). The book of Hebrews mentions her faith: By faith the harlot Rahab did not perish with those who did not believe, when she had received the spies with peace (Hebrews 11:31).
James communicates that Rahab was justified by her works when she received the spies and helped them escape. Before they departed, Rahab was given a promise by the spies––she would not perish when the city was destroyed if she hung a scarlet cord from her window (Joshua 2:16-21). Interestingly, the scarlet cord is a symbol of the blood of Jesus, the redemption price for our sin, that was shed on the Cross to save us.
James helped us further understand how faith and works are true evidences of the Christian life by comparing them to a body without the spirit. Your body and spirit need to be alive and working together to live the Christian life. If the spirit is dead, then you are basically a dead man walking––dead in your sin––you have a body, but you are not spiritually alive. It is the same with faith and works, they need to actively work together. If faith is without works, it is a dead faith.
Understand, as sinners, by faith we look to the Cross of Jesus Christ. Then as believers, we live the Christian life through His Spirit, knowing that it is His righteousness that has saved us.
If there be ground for you to trust in your own righteousness, then all that Christ did to purchase salvation, and all that God did to prepare the way for it is in vain.
~Jonathan Edwards~
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About Raul Ries
Raul Ries is the Senior Pastor of Calvary Chapel Golden Springs and President of Somebody Loves You Ministries. After his miraculous conversion in 1971, Raul began to read and study the Bible extensively even though he had a limited education. In 1974 he began a home Bible study with seven other committed individuals. Soon, he started to preach and counsel youth during the noon hour at his former high school, Baldwin Park High. Calvary Chapel West Covina grew out of Raul's home fellowship, as well as his Kung-Fu studio, and was soon meeting weekly at an old converted Safeway store. In 1993, the congregation moved to Diamond Bar and occupied a 101,000 square-foot corporate building on 28 acres. Calvary Chapel Golden Springs (as it is now called) draws between 10,000 - 12,000 in attendance weekly.
Author of several books, including Fury to Freedom (the story of his early life and dramatic conversion), Raul Ries has also produced three films: Fury to Freedom (feature film dramatization of the book); A Quiet Hope (a riveting and stirring documentary detailing seven soldier's accounts of the Vietnam War and its aftermath); and A Venture in Faith (a documentary of the history of the Calvary Chapel movement).
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