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“Lessons From Naaman (#2)”
Categories: Baptism, Bible, Expository Study, SalvationLearning Lessons From Naaman The Leper (#2)
Jarrod Jacobs
This article continues our study of II Kings 5:1-14. Last time, we learned that it was Naaman’s slave girl who told him what he could do to be healed of leprosy (II Kings 5:2-3). She shows us that young people can understand God’s will. Naaman would not have been cleansed were it not for the actions of this young Israelite slave girl (II Kings 5:2). She did not hold a grudge against Naaman, nor display hatred. She certainly is a good example for all young people today.
Another lesson we need to learn is that one cannot buy favor with God. II Kings 5:5 says Naaman was sent to Israel with “ten talents of silver, and six thousand pieces of gold, and ten changes of raiment.” Yet, this did nothing to heal him. Read II Kings 5:1-16 carefully and see that this is true. His money could not purchase his physical healing.
In like manner, spiritually, one cannot buy his/her salvation. It is just not possible. Peter said, “Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot” (I Pet. 1:18-19). A man’s financial standing means nothing to God. What matters is whether or not this one will lovingly and willingly obey the Father (Jn. 14:15). Money was not expected, nor demanded of Naaman. What was demanded was submission to the will of God (II Kings 5:10). In like manner, this is what is expected of us! If we will be cleansed of sin, it requires our faith in Christ (Jn. 8:24), repentance (Lk. 13:3), confession of our faith (Matt. 10:32), and being baptized for the remission of sin (I Pet. 3:21).
