I love the wisdom that is found in the Old Testament.
In 2 Kings chapter 5 we read the account of Naaman who commanded the Syrian army and was held in high regard by his master.
Naaman developed a skin disease.
A servant told her mistress that if Naaman were in the presence of the prophet in Samaria he could be cured.
Naaman, upon hearing this tells the Syrian king who tells him to go and he will send a letter to the king of Israel.
Naaman departs taking with him a reward for the prophet whom he expects to cure him.
The king of Israel receives the letter and becomes upset.
After all, he knows that he cannot cure diseases.
He concludes that the letter is the prelude to a conflict between the two nations.
The prophet Elisha learns that the king is upset and requests that Naaman be sent to him.
Naaman arrives at Elisha’s home and stands in the doorway.
2 Kings 5:10 (NET) - Elisha sent out a messenger who told him, "Go wash seven times in the Jordan; your skin will be restored and you will be healed."
This time, Naaman becomes upset.
After all, Elisha never even came out to even meet him or called upon God or anything else, for that matter.
All he did was to send word to him by way of a messenger to wash in the Jordan seven times.
Naaman began to go away angry.
Now here is where great wisdom comes into play.
2 Kings 5:13 (NET) - His servants approached and said to him, "O master, if the prophet had told you to do some difficult task, you would have been willing to do it. It seems you should be happy that he simply said, ‘Wash and be healed.’"
Naaman then did as Elisha instructed him through the messenger.
He simply washed seven times in the Jordan… and was healed.
When it comes to salvation many often have incorrect preconceived notions.
Some assume that salvation for them is completely out of reach.
Some assume that salvation is too difficult to obtain because they have not done enough to earn it.
The reality is quite different.
Salvation is neither out of reach nor difficult to obtain.
Salvation does not have to be earned because it cannot be earned.
You see, someone has already paid in full for salvation at a tremendous price.
It is now a gift that only needs to be accepted.
John 14:6 (NET) - Jesus replied, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to he Father except through me."
Romans 10:9 (NET) - ... because if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.
When you Look at the price He paid, you will see that what He requires is simple by comparison.
Blessings,
Jim Pokorny
The Other Brother Jim
Look for me at http://faithfulfeetteam.blogspot.com/ on Friday, June 8, 2012.
Please enjoy the contributions of my fellow Christian bloggers while you are there!
I’ll be back here on Friday, June 15, 2012.
Schedule subject to change.
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