Have you ever felt judged just because of how you look, or because of something someone said about you? I have.
I’m a man who, in medical terms, is classified as “morbidly obese”. I’m also a pastor in the Seventh-day Adventist Church—a church that holds health and wellness in high regard as part of its message. And I love that about our faith. But it hasn’t always been easy for me to work with.
There have been moments when I’ve walked into a room and felt every eye turn toward me. I have been greeted upon entering church with a “what do you weigh?” rather than “welcome, it’s nice to see you here at church”. I’ve heard the whispers, seen the sideways glances. I’ve visited churches where people warmly greeted those who came with me—yet avoided me entirely.
I remember one experience in particular. We were travelling across to the other side of Australia, I had just been offered the ministry roles I now hold. We decided to visit a local church for the first time as we were passing through. As we sat down, a man, who we later found out was the head elder, tapped my wife on the shoulder and asked, “Is your husband a sumo wrestler?” We were visitors.
I shudder at the thought of others who may visit.
The judgement runs deep. You feel it in your bones.
You might be thinking, I’m seeking sympathy I’m not, I promise. I’m pointing to a real issue in how many Christians, especially Adventists, sometimes think.
It is all because of one thing: labels.
Labels are everywhere. They’re handed out quickly, often without thought, but they carry a burden. They have the power to shape how people see us—and even how we see ourselves. Labels can isolate, diminish and wound.
The truth is, none of us has escaped being labelled in some way. It might not be about your weight, but perhaps it’s the way you dress or the colour of your skin. Maybe it’s your past, background, your struggles or something people think they know about you.
But here’s what I’ve learned, and what I want to share with you today: God doesn’t use labels the way we do. He looks beyond them. He sees the heart. He sees the whole story. Stories like mine aren’t new. In fact, Scripture is filled with people who were judged, labelled and written off, yet God used them in powerful ways.
One of my favourite stories in Scripture is about a woman who was heavily labelled—not just in her own time, but even by us today.
If I were to say to you: Pagan. Prostitute. Woman. Jericho—would you know who I’m talking about?
If you said Rahab, you’re absolutely right.
Rahab’s story is a powerful picture of faith and redemption. She was a woman—already seen as less in her time.Not only this but she was a pagan and also a prostitute. To the Israelite, she would be seen as an outsider, unclean and morally bankrupt.
Rahab seemed an unlikely candidate for God’s purposes. Yet when two Israelite spies came to her city, she made a bold choice. She hid them and helped them escape, declaring, “The LORD your God is God in heaven above and on the earth below” (Joshua 2:11). Though she had only heard stories about God, Rahab believed. Her faith moved her to act, even at great personal risk.
Meanwhile, after the miraculous victory at Jericho, God gave the Israelites a clear command: they were not to take any of the city’s treasures for themselves. The spoils of war belonged to the Lord—they were to be placed in His treasury as an offering of obedience and gratitude, for it was God who had given them the victory. But one man, by the name of Achan, chose to disobey. In secret, he took silver, gold and a beautiful robe, and hid them in his tent.
But Achan’s hidden sin didn’t stay hidden for long. When Israel went into battle against the small city of Ai, they were soundly defeated. Lives were lost because God was no longer with them.
Joshua sought the Lord, and God revealed that someone among them had broken His command. Through the casting of lots, Achan was identified. He had opportunity after opportunity to come forward—but remained silent until he had no choice but to speak.
When Achan finally confessed, his words echoed the tone of Adam and Eve’s confession in the Garden—too little, too late. The damage had already been done. Because of Achan’s sin, not only did he face judgment, but others lost their lives in battle, and his entire family was affected. The stolen treasure had been buried where they lived, strongly suggesting his family were aware of his actions.
It was a brutal and sobering end for this family, this group of people who were part of Israel—part of what we might call “the church”.
Rahab and Achan stand as two powerful, contrasting figures, both tied to the battle of Jericho, yet with very different outcomes.
Both dealt with things hidden. Rahab hid the spies under flax in obedience; Achan hid stolen goods under his tent in rebellion. One act led to salvation and inclusion of Rahab and her family into God’s people. The other led to judgement and destruction of Achan and his family. The difference wasn’t their status or background, it was their heart. Rahab feared the Lord and acted in faith. Achan dismissed God’s command and acted in self-interest.
In the same way, being in the church is not what keeps you safe. It’s a great place to be, but while you are in the church your heart and mind may be out in the world. You can come to church every Sabbath but neglect coming to Jesus.
Achan was once part of the tribe of Judah but he was removed. Here is the poetic twist . . . Can you guess which tribe Rahab was grafted into? That’s right Judah. Rahab and her family not only replaced Achan and his family, but she was honoured by becoming a direct ancestor of Jesus Christ. Rahab was Jesus’ great-great . . . grandma. WOW! How awesome. What amazing hope that should give you and me today!
It’s easy to look at someone else, like a woman selling her body or a person addicted to drugs and think, I’m not like that. But the truth is, your sin just looks different. The only real difference between you and them might be that you know Jesus, and they don’t. Your sins still exist. You’re just as broken as they are.
So let me ask:
Do you have any hidden sin you need to bring into the light?
Any thoughts or attitudes that need to be reset by God’s beautiful and merciful Spirit?
Or maybe . . .
You’re just tired. Worn out. Hurting.
Maybe you need a sign of hope to get through this week, just to face your family, your job or even your church.
Rahab’s story shows us that there is hope.
Rahab’s life reminds us that God honours faith not family background. Obedience not appearance. He doesn’t see the “labels” that have been placed on us by others and ourselves. His eye is set on what’s hidden in our hearts. What is in your heart today? Give it all to your King.
Broden House is an associate pastor at Livingstone church and chaplain at Carmel College, WA, where he lives with his wife and three children.
