Learning Lessons From Naaman The Leper (#3)

Jarrod Jacobs

            The text for our study in the last two articles has been II Kings 5:1-14. In previous articles, we have seen that a young girl was the key to Naaman’s cleansing. Without her, Naaman would never have known what to do. We also saw that money did not purchase Naaman’s cleansing. Money could not purchase what God would give him free. By way of application, we see that young people today can still know and obey the word of God, and that nothing can purchase the most precious gift -- the salvation of our souls (I Pet. 1:18-19; Acts 2:38).

            As we study II Kings 5, we see that when Naaman went to the wrong source, he was not cleansed of leprosy. In II Kings 5:5-7, he went to the King of Israel rather than Elisha, as the young girl had said (v. 3). Thankfully, the king recognized his inability to help on this occasion. He was not so filled with pride that he tried to be a “god” before Naaman. Yet, Naaman was not cleansed.

            In like manner, when we turn to denominational organizations, family traditions, self interests, personal theories, etc., rather than to the Bible, we are turning to the wrong sources. It is within the gospel that we find the “power of God unto salvation” and nowhere else (Rom. 1:16). It is the gospel that reveals what to do to be spiritually cleansed (Acts 22:16). It is the gospel that reveals the Lord’s church (Matt. 16:18; Rom. 16:16). It is the divinely inspired Scriptures that “thoroughly” furnish (thoroughly equip) us “unto all good works” (II Tim. 3:16-17). To turn to anything else is to turn to the wrong source of authority!

Learning 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).

Hearing Problems Or Heart Problems?

            There are many that teach that in order to be saved, one must have faith that Jesus is the Son of God (Jn. 8:24; Heb. 11:6). Many agree also that repentance and confessing our faith in Christ is necessary just as the Bible says (Lk. 13:3; Rom. 10:10). However, when there is talk about a person being baptized for the remission of sins (Acts 2:38), many people deny that baptism is necessary. Why is this? Could I suggest that when folks deny baptism’s necessity, it is because they have either a hearing problem or a heart problem. Why do I say this? Let us study Acts 16:14-15 and see this truth.

            In Acts 16:14-15, we read, “One who heard us was a woman named Lydia, from the city of Thyatira, a seller of purple goods, who was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to pay attention to what was said by Paul. And after she was baptized, and her household as well, she urged us, saying, ‘If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come to my house and stay.’ And she prevailed upon us.” Notice that before Lydia was baptized, she “heard” the gospel being preached. Her hearing would have produced faith (Rom. 10:17). Not only did she pay attention, but the words she heard also opened her heart, and then she was baptized. She laid aside all preconceived ideas, and simply listened to God’s word. Therefore, as a result of the words she heard, and her open heart, she was baptized.

            Thus it is today. When folks declare that baptism is not necessary for salvation, we see they either have a hearing problem or a heart problem. Let us make sure our hearing is sound and our heart is open to the word of God (I Pet. 3:21). This obedience to the Lord will result in our salvation (Heb. 5:9; Rev. 2:14)!

Some Questions That Jesus Asks Of Us

            Questions can be effective tools in teaching and learning. Jesus knew the power of questions and asked them often in His teaching.

            When the Pharisees came to Jesus and tried to tempt Him, He asked them simply, “Have you not read …?” (Matt. 19:4). Friend, we will never know how to act or live unless we spend time reading the Bible (Eph. 3:4)! How sad it is to see people who seem to have it all, except a proper knowledge of the Scriptures.

            We need to know what the Bible says because these words will judge us one day (Jn. 12:48). Having a proper knowledge of the Scriptures provides us with what we need to handle God’s word correctly; and be thoroughly furnished in all good works (II Tim. 2:15, 3:16-17).

            How can we know the Truth if we never read the Bible (Jn. 17:17)? We will be confused and groping in darkness if we refuse to read God’s word and examine it daily (Ps. 119:105).

            Jesus asked two vital questions in Matthew 16:26: “For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” (Matt. 16:24-26). These two questions speak the same truth. What could one give in exchange for his soul? In truth, nothing! There is nothing we could exchange that would be equal in value to the human soul. Yet, many people exchange their soul daily for drugs, fleshly desires, power, wealth, etc. How sad it would be to pass into eternity knowing the Truth, and knowing you exchanged your soul for some temporary pleasure!

            Hopefully, we can see how powerful questions can be. It was the asking of questions that brought Adam and Eve out of hiding (Gen. 3:9-11). It was powerful questions that confronted the Jews’ error in Jesus’ day (Ex. Matt. 21:23-27). Let us never forget these questions that Jesus asks us today. What are you reading? What will you give in exchange for your soul? Life is too short and eternity is too long to dismiss these essential questions!

Betrayed
(by D.J. Higgins)

Friend, I stand in judgment now

And feel that you’re to blame somehow.

On earth, I waited with you day by day,

And never did you point the way.

 

You knew the Lord in truth and glory

But never did you tell His story,

My knowledge then was very dim,

You could have led me safe to Him.

 

Yes, I knew He’d made the earth,

But knew not of that second birth.

And now I stand this day condemned,

Because you failed to mention Him.

 

You taught me many things that’s true.

I called you “friend” and trusted you.

I learn, now that it’s too late,

You could have kept me from this fate.

 

We walked by day and talked by night,

And yet you showed me not the Light.

You let me live, and love, and die,

And knew I’d never live on high.

 

Yes, I called you “friend” in life,

And trusted you in joy and strife.

And yet, on coming to this end,

I cannot, now call you “my friend.”

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Brethren, are we truly being a “friend” to those who do not know the Lord?

[See: II Timothy 2:2; I Timothy 4:6; I Peter 4:11]