Like Slave or King?

The book market is littered with dozens of books on how to have a great life.

A person could learn anything from how to plant a garden to how to follow some television doctor’s prescription for marriage and relationships. That may be entertaining, but is it sound?

The Bible, on the other hand, is filled with actual examples of people, how they conducted their lives and the consequences that ensued. Truth is always a better teacher than fiction, don’t you think?

Let’s see one of the great examples of how the Bible teaches.

In 2 Kings 5, there are four main characters: the leper Naaman, a slave maiden whose name we do not know, a king named Jehoram, and a prophet named Elisha. The lives of all four of these people would become intertwined with real-life lessons for our benefit.

Naaman, a successful leader and a general in the Syrian army, had a problem. He had leprosy. He was the enemy of Israel and an oppressor and kidnapper. However, he was a dying man who needed a cure.

Enter the slave girl. She’s working as a servant and had no status in life, except that she knew the truth. She knew about the one true God and about a prophet in Israel who could help Naaman. She could have withheld the truth from him, instead she told him there was a prophet in the land who would cure him of his dread disease.

Jehoram, the king, was not of the same mind as the slave girl. He didn’t want this powerful man in his kingdom and wasn’t about to make his enemy whole again.

When we look at the example of the slave girl and of Jehoram, which one did the right thing? The answer is perfectly clear, isn’t it?

The slave girl shared the truth with Naaman and this seemingly insignificant person saved the life of a mighty man. Jehoram, however, would have gladly remained silent and allowed Naaman to die.

How does this apply to my life? When it comes to telling others about Jesus, are we like the slave girl, or like Jehoram? Are we willing to share the good news of Jesus with others and help save their souls, or are we like Jehoram and hoard the good news, keeping it to ourselves?

If we teach, others may live. If we remain silent, many could die spiritually. Let’s start teaching.

by John Henson @ www.forthright.net