KneEmail - a devotional by Mike Benson associated with Forthright Magazine
Righteousness 3
NAAMAN WAS A great man, but he was a leper...
He knew that he could not cleanse himself, and 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 Jordan seven times. After some initial disgust at such a proposal, Naaman humbled himself and faithfully submitted to the work of righteousness Elisha had revealed. Now whose power brought about the cleansing of Naaman? It was the power of Almighty God. Would this power have been appropriated if Naaman had refused to dip? Did Naaman contribute to his salvation? Indeed, human activity was necessary for Naaman's cleansing, but would anyone argue that Naaman's activity nullified the grace of God? Of course not. Why is it then, that people argue that sinners dipped in water to be cleansed by the blood of Christ are thereby nullifying the grace of God? (B.J. Clarke)
KneEmail: "Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons, but in every nation he that feareth him and worketh righteousness is accepted of him" ( Acts 10:34-35; cf. Eph. 2:8-9).