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