Articles
Mistakes of Naaman
One of the most interesting stories in the Bible is the story of Naaman, a leper. (2 Kgs 5:l-14) He was captain of the Syrian army, a great man with his master, and honorable. "But he was a leper", (v. 1.) And that spoiled it all. There are many great men today, who also are "honorable". But if they are sinners, that spoils it all. The leper was ceremonially unclean. (Lev 14) His flesh was full of sores, the fingers rotted off, his tongue cracked open, and he was not allowed to associate with other people. But sin defiles the mind and conscience, the heart and soul—the whole inner man. (Titus 1:15) Only God could cure Naaman. (2 Kgs 5:1-14) Christ is the "Great Physician" of the soul. The sinner is sick. (Isa 1:5-6) Only Christ can save from sin and spiritual death. (Mt l3:15; Jas 1:16; Mt 9:10-13; Lk 5:29-32)
Went to the Wrong Party
But Naaman made many mistakes in trying to be healed. The Jewish maid in Naaman's home told her mistress that there was a "prophet" in Israel who could heal Naaman of his leprosy. But at the suggestion of the king of Syria, Naaman went to the "king" of Israel, the wrong party. The maid said nothing about the king of Israel being able to heal any one. (2 Kgs 5:4-6) Likewise, many sinners now go to the wrong parties and places in peeking salvation. Some go to the "Priest" to be "Absolved" from the guilt of sin, when no man has the power to forgive sin. (Mt 9:1-10) Christ is our only mediator. (1 Tim 2:5-6) Then others make the mistake of going to the old law to find the terms of salvation for the Christian age. But we are not under the old covenant. (Col 2:14; Eph 2:14-16; Rom 6:14; 7:6; 2 Cor 3:6) Christ is now the author of salvation. (Heb.5:8-9; 12:1-3) It is not right to ignore the preaching of the apostles, under the great commission, and go back to the thief on the cross to learn what to do to be saved now. The thief conversed with Jesus before the New Testament went in force. (Heb 9:15-17) In all fairness those seeking salvation ought to be instructed to come to the conversion of the three thousand on Pentecost, who were commanded to "Repent and be baptized. . . in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins." (Acts 2:38)
Wanted to Buy the Blessing
It seems that another mistake of Naaman was in his thinking he could pay for his healing. He brought ten talents of silver, six thousand pieces of gold, and ten changes of raiment to give to the one who would heal him. (2 Kgs 5:5) But God cannot be bribed with money. Simon the sorcerer tried this. (Acts 8:13-24) It is a mistake to suppose that paying large sums of money could have anything to do with getting any one out of perdition, or "Purgatory". Neither can brethren substitute money for personal purity and consecration to God. No one can hire another to live the Christian life for him. Neither can we ever pay God for a single favor, or blessing received. Salvation is a matter of grace and favor. There is no merit in obeying the gospel to be saved. The terms of pardon are only appropriative in their nature It does God no good for the sinner to believe, repent, confess Christ and be baptized, trusting God for forgiveness of sin. Yet these things are conditions of salvation. (Mk 16:16; Acts 2:38) While Naaman could not buy a cure for leprosy, he could dip seven times in Jordan to be cured of God. This he had to do, or die. (2 Kgs 5:10-14) He was not cured because of his morality, and good deeds; but by obeying the command to dip in Jordan. His faith had to be tested. Baptism is now a test of faith. (Mk.16:16)
Was Prejudiced
Naaman had a fixed opinion as to how he would be healed by the man of God. He thought he would come out and strike his hand over the leper, pray for him, etc. (2 Kgs 5:11) So, when he was told to dip in Jordan, he was "wroth, and went away." (2 Kgs 5:10-11) He was prejudiced. Many now think the sinner is to be saved by some one praying over him at an altar of prayer. So, when we tell them that "He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved," (Mk. 16:16), they, too, are often "Wroth" and go "away."
Dipping Too Simple
Naaman thought that to be cured by simply dipping seven times in Jordan was all too simple. Had he been told to "Do some great thing" he would have done it. (2 Kgs 5:13) God's way was too simple for him. The gospel plan of salvation is often rejected because it is too simple and easy. There is not enough noise and show, not enough of the mysterious and miraculous in the Lord's plan. Hence, like Naaman, many go "away". They stumble at the "Simplicity which is in Christ". (2 Cor 11:3) Man's part is always simple. Whatever mystery there is in the plan is over on the Lord's side, and man need not worry about the Lord's part, but should simply obey and trust the Lord's promise. (Mk 16:16) Faith takes God at his word, regardless of how simple the conditions may be.
Thought Power in the Water
Naaman thought the man of God meant there was power in the water of the Jordan to heal him. Hence, he wanted to know if the waters back home were not "Better than all the waters of Israel". (2 Kgs 5:12) This was another fatal mistake. God healed him, but after he dipped in the Jordan. Dipping was only a condition of his healing—was obedience made necessary thereto. So of baptism in order to salvation. There is no saving power in the water of baptism. God saves, but it is after baptism.
Wanted to Substitute
Naaman also made a mistake in thinking he could substitute and wash in "Abana, and Pharpar" back home and be cured, as well as by washing in Jordan. (2 Kgs 5:12) But the Prophet of God said wash "In Jordan". To dip in other waters would not be obedience. God accepts no substitutes. God now says "Buried" in baptism, and man wants to substitute something else. (Rom 6:4; Col 2:12) God says baptize believers, but man wants to substitute unbelieving infants. (Mk l6:16; Acts 8:12; 18:8) The Lord built his church—built it like he wanted it—but man wants to substitute some denomination. (Mt l6:18; Rom16:16) God gave the name "Christian", but man wants to substitute human names instead. (1 Pt 4:16) Let us make no mistakes in obeying the gospel. Naaman was not healed until he corrected all mistakes made.
Published in 1948 in the Jasper Newspaper
