Title 《Gospel and I》 (February 7th)
Contents
《Gospel and I》
(2 Kings 5:8-14)
(…) The modern material and mechanical civilization have become the protagonists of this era. Modern people are adept at analyzing and dealing with world problems, including economic, political, and religious issues. But, unfortunately, modern people, like General Naaman, are incompetent in the problem of sin, their spiritual leprosy. Unfortunately, modern civilization is incompetent and doesn't know how to cure the crippling spiritual leprosy. They are the weak and incompetent who cannot solve their own problems.(…) There has never been a time when mankind was helpless against spiritual diseases and human weaknesses as it is today. Indeed, modern times are great and smart heroes and generals, but like Naaman, he suffers from leprosy.
① Let’s think about the disease and the gospel.
(…) In General Naaman’s house, there was a slave girl who had been taken prisoner. (…) Although the slave girl was a terrible owner who did not treat her like a human being and treated her harshly like a slave, she could not ignore her master’s pain. So I was talking about the prophet living in Samaria. It was definitely the gospel for General Naaman and the Syrian nation.
②In front of the Gospel, we must cast away our thoughts.
(…) The prophet Elisha clearly presented the gospel to Naaman. He suggested a simple remedy, saying that he would be healed when he entered the Jordan River seven times and came out. Then Naaman got angry and turned the head of the horse back to his country with his troops. Why? Why did you want to go back angry?(…) It was just my thoughts. But God's thoughts and mine are different. When we listen to the Word of God, we must not listen according to our own will, but according to the will of God. The gospel demands the renunciation of my thoughts. It demands a radical denial of my thoughts.(…) The gospel is clearly presented, but my thoughts are dangerous and the wrong way.(…)
③ Before the Gospel, we must believe and obey.
Naaman complains about the gospel and tries to return, but his servants stop him. Finally, Naaman obeys the gospel. Thus, they take off the armor of dignity and authority. He lifts his shameful body, which has been torn in front of many people, and soaks it seven times.(…) And he became a person who glorifies God. According to my opinion, the result was a history of murmuring, anger, and rejection, but the result of God's thinking is to become a new person and be saved from disease. We must throw away the clothes that disguised as Naaman and reveal the true nature of sin. We must wash away our sins and be cleansed in the fountain of the Precious Blood, which is the blood of the love and mercy and atonement of Jesus Christ (…) We must return to a clean body and mind. Amen.