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)