KneEmail - a devotional by Mike Benson associated with Forthright Magazine
Grace
NAAMAN WAS A great man, but he was a leper (2 Kgs. 5)...
He knew that he could not cleanse himself, so he ultimately sought direction from the man of God named Elisha. Through a messenger, Elisha informed Naaman that God's power would graciously cleanse him of his leprosy when he dipped in the river seven times. Naaman was initially disgusted at these orders. He did not want to dip at all, but if he had to dip, it certainly would not be in the dirty waters of the Jordan River. Suppose Naaman had said, "I believe in my heart that God has the power to cleanse me of my leprosy whether I dip or not. My dipping in the water does not give God any power that he needs to cleanse me. Besides, if I dip in the water it might appear that I cleansed myself of my leprosy by my own activity. So, I will just believe in my heart that God will cleanse me, and cleanse me he will." If Naaman had followed such thinking, would he have been cleansed of his leprosy? To ask the question is to answer it.
Fortunately, Naaman humbled himself and faithfully submitted to the work of righteousness (commandment) Elisha had revealed. Now, whose power brought about the cleansing of Naaman? It was the power of the Almighty God. Would this power have been appropriated if Naaman had refused to dip? Did Naaman contribute to his salvation from leprosy? Indeed, human activity was necessary for Naaman's cleansing, but would anyone argue that Naaman's activity nullified the grace of God? (B. J. Clarke)
KneEmail: "For by grace you have been saved through faith..." (Eph. 2:8; cf. Rom. 3:24, 28).