Naaman’s servants went to him and said, “My father, if the prophet had told you to do some great thing, would you not have done it? How much more, then, when he tells you, ‘Wash and be cleansed’!” 2 Kings 5:13
We’ve heard it before - nothing is for free. For something to be of value, we feel we need to work for it. In fact, there’s a certain satisfaction in it and we want to work for it. But sometimes something is so far out of our reach that no amount of work could help us afford it.
That is the situation Naaman found himself in. God offered him healing, but it seemed too easy to him. And so he doubted that it was real. Naaman had power and I’m sure had worked himself up the ladder. Our pride says that we can accomplish anything, with the right amount of effort. A simple wash in the Jordan would show the power of God, but not the power of Naaman.
Fortunately, Naaman heeded the advice of his aides and took a humbling bath. He yielded his will to be in control, to contribute to his cure. And God healed him.
We find ourselves in a similar situation. In need of healing, of salvation, but without the means to obtain it. We want to work for it. Feel like we need to. But the reality is we can’t. We always fall short.
Mercifully, God’s call to us is simple. God doesn’t ask us to do grand things to come to Him. He just says to trust in Him. And He will begin His healing work.
And just as the water in the Jordan didn’t heal Naaman, it was God, so also we don’t contribute to our salvation. God uses faith to draw us to Him. My salvation isn’t free, but it is Jesus that paid the price, not me. And I’m so grateful.
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God. Ephesians 2:8
Lord, my salvation isn’t free. Jesus paid the price. But by your grace it is free to me. Forgive me for ever rejecting your simple call and trying to add to the work you’ve done. I am saved by your grace alone.
