Daily Good News – Prophet of Grace

Jul 14, 2015 1511

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“Elisha said, “As the Lord lives, before Whom I stand, I will take nothing” (2 Kings 5:16.

There are lessons about grace to be learned from the story of the healing of Naaman. Naaman was the general of the king of Aram, a mighty man. He was the leader of the army of the oppressors of God’s people. Yet, grace was for him. It doesn’t matter whether you consider yourself to be a Christian or non-Christian, sinner or saint, well-known sinner or secret sinner, grace is offered to you. Grace is for everyone.

Naaman despised Elisha’s instruction to wash in the River Jordan seven times. He became angry. There were much better rivers in his homeland if that’s all he had to do. Our culture, our education, our upbringing, our worldview don’t necessarily prepare us to receive grace. Because grace always comes in the most unexpected ways, you must be humble to receive it.

Naaman was only healed when he finally did what Elisha had told him to do. Does this mean that you can earn grace? No! It means that we are only able to properly receive grace when we believe enough to receive the gift. It wasn’t natural for Naaman to have faith. He fought against it at first. It isn’t natural for us either. Whether it is simply in the quiet submission within our hearts, through the expression of our lips, or through a decision that is manifest through actions, God always gives us the opportunity to seize the faith that is his gift to us.

Elisha refused to accept any payment for healing Naaman. Grace, like Naaman’s healing, is free – completely free. It is free for humanity because of Calvary, where it cost God everything.

 

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