NAAMAN - THE NATURE OF SAVING FAITH
By David J. Riggs
Intro.
A. A study of Bible faith reveals that it takes more than a mere
mental exercise to have saving faith.
B. When Jesus' disciples inquired, "What shall we do, that we may
work the works of God?" Jesus answered them, "This is the work
of God, that you believe in Him whom He sent." John 6:28-29
1. Faith is the beginning point (the basis or source) which
causes one to do the works of God.
C. There is no better demonstration of "saving faith" than that
which is found in 2 Kings 5 and the story of Naaman the leper.
I. BACKGROUND OF THE MAN NAAMAN.
A. A general in the Syrian army.
1. God allowed Israel to be defeated because of their
wickedness.
B. Naaman has a terrible, deadly disease.
1. It was good for him to listen to what was suggested by a
slave girl.
2. When people get desperate, they are more apt to listen.
II. THE NATURE OF FAITH AS SEEN IN THIS NARRATIVE.
A. We see that Naaman had some faith because he came to Samaria
to be healed by the prophet.
1. Who could deny he had faith as he stood at the door of the
prophet's house? Vs. 9
2. At this point, though, he was still a leper. His faith alone
would not have healed him.
B. The prophet sends a messenger to Naaman with a simple, very
plain requirement. Vs. 10
C. Naaman now demonstrates the nature of his faith. Vs. 11
1. His faith was in his own wisdom and ways - "Indeed, I said
to myself" ("Behold I thought" KJV).
a. His mind was already made up as to how the healing
was to be done.
b. Also, if dipping in a river was necessary, why not go to
the cleanest river available? Vs. 12
c. People use the same type of reasoning on water
baptism.
(1) They say, "There's nothing miraculous in the
water."
(2) It is simply a matter of believing and doing what
God has required. 1 Pet. 3:21; Col. 2:12
(a) One has faith that God is working in
removing his sins.
(b) No one says when baptized, "I don't think all
of my sins were washed away. Let's do it
again so that the rest of them will be
removed." No, he has faith that God will do
what He has promised in these verses.
(3) Also, in baptism God has given man a clear
definite starting point in becoming a Christian -
the new birth, the spiritual birth.
(a) Compare this to people waiting for some
kind of experience. Some can't seem to find
that unique experience for which they are
looking.
2. Naaman could have claimed all day long that he had faith
because he went to Samaria and stood at the prophet's door.
3. However, until he obeyed the words of the prophet he was
still a leper and his "so-called" faith was useless.
4. He had not yet worked the works of God to be cleansed of
his leprosy.
5. What is that Work? To believe in the massage of the
prophet through whom God had spoken.
D. Naaman had some wise servants who persuaded him to do what
was right. Vs. 13-14
1. We need to avoid extremes:
a. "I think it would be better this way." (Making it easier,
more convenient)
b. "I think it ought to be more difficult." (Making it more
difficult than it really is). Ex. living in a Monastery,
meeting the requirement of a cult, etc.
2. Naaman learned the nature of saving faith that day.
a. He learned that what people might think (including
himself), neither changes the word of God, nor the
people's condition.
b. He learned that it is not the location (the Jordan or the
rivers of Damascus) which honors God, but the
obedience.
3. Naaman himself said, "Indeed, now I know that there is no
God in all the earth, except in Israel..." Vs. 15
III. THERE ARE SOME VERY SIMPLE LESSONS HERE REGARDING SAVING FAITH.
A. Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38 - One either meets the requirement or he
is excluded.
1. He who has not been baptized for the remission of sins, like
Naaman standing at the door of the prophet still a leper,
stands before God still in his sins.
2. Will you not believe to the saving of the soul by obeying
the Lord?
a. We don't need to read a mountain of books on
"baptism" to learn what to do, or if baptism is
necessary.
b. Just accept what the Bible says and do it.
c. All who do not obey the gospel will be condemned. 1
Pet. 4:17-18
B. Notice, too, that the prophet Elisha offered no apology to
Naaman's objection of not wanting to dip in the Jordan.
1. The prophet simply told him what to do and that was the
end of the matter.
2. Jesus offered no apologies when people were offended by
His teaching. Matt. 15:12-14
a. When many of His disciples were offended, He didn't
"tone down" his teaching to make it more acceptable to
them. John 6:60-61, 66-67
3. We shouldn't make apologies on any of the Lord's teaching.
a. For example - baptism. Mark 16:16 This is what the
Lord said and that ends the matter.
b. Marriage - Matt. 19:9.
c. We seem to want to make many apologies for the Lord.
(1) "I am sorry this seems to be so harsh." "We
sympathize with those who find themselves in
adulterous marriages," etc.
d. Again, we don't need a mountain of books on marriage
dealing with this subject.
e. This is what the Lords said and that's it.
C. A third lesson is that genuine faith brings great blessings.
1. When Naaman obeyed, he was cleansed. vs. 14 "...Like the
flesh of a little child."
2. When one is baptized for the remission of sins, all his sins
are washed away. He is cleansed of something far worse
than leprosy.
3. Acceptable faith continues to be rewarded in our lives. Luke
18:29-30; 1 Tim. 4:8
a. The great reward comes when this life is over. Rom.
8:18; 2 Cor. 4:17-18
b. Jesus showed that the reward will be great. John 14:2
Also, 2 Cor. 5:1; Rev. 21:4
Concl.
A. We have learned much about saving faith from this incident in
Naaman's life.
1. Let us not try to improve on God's plan, but just believe
what He says and do it.
2. Let us trust God enough to do precisely as He requires.
B. Then, like Naaman, we too will be greatly rewarded.
1. People often ask, "Is one lost just because he is not
baptized?"
2. One is not lost just because he is not baptized. He is lost
because he is a sinner. If someone who can't swim falls into
a lake and a boat is sent, but he won't get into the boat,
is he drowning because he won't get into the boat? No, he is
drowning because he is in the water. Likewise, one is not
lost just because he is not baptized, but because he is in
sin. Just as the boat is the means of rescue and one must
get into it, the gospel is the means of salvation and must
be obeyed (baptism included) to be rescued from sin.
3. Why not repent and be immersed in the name of Christ for
the remission of sins?
a. Jesus is the author of eternal salvation to all who obey
Him. Heb. 5:9