I don’t think that I’d be a very good prostitute. I have a hard time selling myself. I don’t know if it’s a confidence thing or what but I don’t do well at job interviews. I also don’t like to be naked. I’m also not really that touchy feely with people I don’t know. You add all that up and I think it means I’d be a lousy prostitute. You’d think that with all of the experience I have I’d make a great prostitute. Wait. Do what?
James 4:4-6 “You adulterous people, don’t you know that friendship with the world is hatred toward God? Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God. Or do you think Scripture says without reason that the spirit he caused to live in us envies intensely? But he gives us more grace.”
I don’t know if people skip over the verses that I put in these posts but that verse is really convicting. The author compares being a friend to the world to adultery. Guilty.
At times I’ve blatantly chose to cheat on God. Lucky for me Jesus has a thing for prostitutes. Now I know that prostitutes and adulterers aren’t exactly the same thing but I still find hope in the fact that Jesus has a thing for prostitutes.
What? You don’t believe me?
- Jesus is related to a prostitute. Rahab is an amazing story! Rahab sees that God is about to deliver her people into the hands of the Israelites. She tells a couple of the Israelite spies that she will hide them if they spare her when they take over. Her and her family are the only ones that survive. But she doesn’t just survive. Look at what Matthew (one of the New Testament writers) says, “Salmon the father of Boaz, whose mother was Rahab,Boaz the father of Obed, whose mother was Ruth,Obed the father of Jesse, and Jesse the father of King David.” Okay now at first glance that may not mean much, but it’s in the genealogy of Jesus. Matthew is making a point. He doesn’t have to include Rahab but he does. He wants the readers to know that in the line of Jesus is a prostitute named Rahab.
There are other examples that I could give but I don’t think anyone will continue reading this long of a post. The point is that Jesus has a thing for prostitutes and that’s a good thing for us. A prostitute sells themselves based off what they think they are worth. Jesus comes along and says that we are worth His life.
Jesus pays for us despite the fact that we are adulterous people who prostitute ourselves for cheap pleasure. I’ve had years of experience befriending the world. I love the way the verse in James ends “But he gives us more grace.” Amen!
Rob, don’t you know that some people explain away Rahal as not really being a prostitute and more of just something like a tavern worker. That would make her like Miss Kitty on Timeline who was…..well, I guess that prostitute thing is accurate after all. Glad this only applies to you, not me.
Larry, me too…me too.
So good. And once we receive that grace we need to walk in it.
Michael, true. Knowing that Jesus loves me despite my adulterous ways draws me to want to live for Him more.
ha…i like…nice provocative title and you bring the truth..nicely done sir
Thanks Brian. I haven’t seen you around here in a while. Are things well?
Reminds me of Hosea and Gomer, one of my favorite stories (despite the awkward girl name…). By sinnning, I’ve chosen to cheat on God, and He still chose to love and redeem me. Good reminder for the day! Thank God for His grace.
TJ, agreed! One of my favorite Third Day songs is Gomer’s theme. Have you heard it?
I might have it on my iTunes somewhere, but I haven’t actually heard it before. I’ll have to go look for it and listen. =)
That first paragraph was worth the price of admission alone! Good stuff, oh and your point is well taken. I am likely a prostitute as well, but I look lousy in fishnet stockings and heals, and I can never find a bag that matches my dress.
Daniel, dang it. I forgot to mention the fishnet stockings and heals. Good call my friend.
Yes Rob…Yes!…we need more of these post from all around us!
God is invading my heart and thoughts with this Grace…
Now..if I quit being stubborn…i need to let go…and Let my Feet and Actions reflect that heart and thought…
Arny, thanks! The feet and actions is a very important part of it.
Great point. I never realized just how many instances prostitution shows itself in the Bible.
I will have to cut back on the “bro-hugs” when we see each other on Sundays. I think this is the second post outlining you not being a touchy feely guy..lol. I think it must have slipped my mind.
Joseph, please don’t. I like the bro-hugs. I just don’t like initiating physical contact with someone that I don’t know. I know you. Some people are hugers. I’m a selective huger. In other words bring it on.
Rob, I also think you would make a bad prostitute.
But great post!
Rob, thanks. I am glad that we can agree on this one thing.
You never cease to amaze me how you can take two seemingly unrelated things and tie them together… It is truly an honor and privledge to read your blog and be exposed to your insight and wisdom… you always give the reader ( me ) a reson to dig deeper into a subject and contemplate its meaning… thank you for that.
BTW… I changed my name from just Brian to BRHollifield so in the future you will know its me.
Brian, thanks! I’m thinking about making this my next talk at WEC. I don’t think it’s completely fleshed out in this post. I had so much that I wanted to say but I wanted to keep it short. I’m glad that it made sense and connected. Thanks again!
A friend of mine has a shirt that says “Bring a prostitute to church”. Some people in his church didn’t appreciate the shirt.
Burrill, my friend had a shirt that said God’s last name is not Dam^!t. People at church didn’t like that shirt either.
Absolutely! Its a good thing that God loves us imperfect people, because if he didn’t well…we’d all be in deep trouble. Just like it is provable that God loves murderers. David was called a man after God’s own heart after all. Its not about results, its about intent and God’s saving grace through Jesus without whom we have no shot. Looking too closely at sin, even if for purposes of avoiding it can actually lead to sin itself. We must keep moving, keep chasing after God’s heart and not get down on ourselves when we fail. Some would use it as an excuse to sin, but those using it as an excuse to sin are not trying to follow God. Its something I have to remind myself of all the time. Its easier to get down on yourself then to trust God and keep moving when things do go wrong. Appreciate the blog today Rob..it helped remind me of all this.
Thanks Josh!
You would make a horrible prostitute, but a great pimp with that wig.
Great post, Rob. I find myself getting snugly with the world far too often.
Hosea is another good book to read when it comes to seeing how God feels toward us when we fail and cheat.
Amen