Naaman and Salvation 2 Ki 5:1-16 CLICK TITLE FOR AUDIO

We find in Naaman some interesting truths concerning the simplicity of salvation through Jesus Christ.  Naaman was the captain of the host of the king of Syria.  The Lord used him to give deliverance to Syria.  But he was a leper.  His leprosy is a type of sin.  At the recommendation of his captive maid, he went to Elisha to be healed of his leprosy.  His healing is a type of salvation through Jesus Christ.  From the details of Naaman’s healing, we learn that:

Salvation is so simple a child can get it – 2 Ki 5:2-3 – the little maid who had been taken captive from Israel knew exactly how Naaman could be cleansed of his leprosy.  She had absolute faith that Elisha, through the power of God on him, could “recover him of his leprosy.”  Children don’t have any problem believing Jesus Christ.

Salvation is so valuable a man would pay a great sum for it – 2 Ki 5:5 – Naaman knew he was a leper, whereas most sinners don’t realize that they are hopeless sinners.  When they figure this out, they will go to any lengths to get their sin problem taken care of.  Men give huge sums of money to their churches in hopes of “buying” their way into heaven.  But salvation is a free gift.  No amount of money will suffice for the price of a soul [Mk 8:36-37].

Salvation is so impossible that no man can accomplish it – 2 Ki 5:6-7 – it’s something that only God can do.  The king of Israel rent his clothes because he knew that he was hopeless to help Naaman.  Would to God charlatan priests, preachers and churches would repent of faking out people into believing that they have the power to save or that their churches have the way to God.  They don’t.  No man does.  Salvation is of the Lord.

Salvation is so contrary that self-righteous men reject it – 2 Ki 5:9-12 – Elisha’s orders weren’t what Naaman thought, at all.  In his pride, he scorned the idea of washing in the Jordan River.  And so, he went away in a rage.  Many men have rejected the gospel in a similar rage.

Salvation is so precise there’s only one way to obtain it – 2 Ki 5:13-14 – Naaman had to humble himself and obey the word of God.  You can only get to heaven by believing on the Lord Jesus Christ.  Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me,” [Jn 14:6].  There’s no other way, just as there was no other way for Naaman to be healed.

Salvation is so real you know for sure when you have it – 2 Ki 5:15 – Naaman said, “now I know that there is no God in all the earth, but in Israel.”  He knew the true God.  And when sinners get saved, they know it and they know the true God.  You must believe in Jesus and find out for yourself that he and his salvation are real.

Salvation is so free there’s no charge for it – 2 Ki 5:15-16 – Naaman was still willing to pay Elisha for his healing.  But Elisha wouldn’t take the money.  Like Jesus told his disciples, “Freely ye have received, freely give,” [Matt 10:8].  Like Paul said in Rom 5, it’s a “free gift.”  You can’t put a price on that or it wouldn’t be free.

Conclusion: if you are saved, then be like the little maid and have enough compassion on the folks you know to tell them how they can be saved or invite them to your church to hear the gospel preached.  If you are lost, realize how hopeless you are in your sin and recognize that by obeying the gospel and receiving Jesus Christ, you can be saved.  There’s no other way.