To Fully Obey The Lord
Categories: Church of Christ Bulletin Articles
To be cleansed of his leprosy, the “important-in-his-own-eyes” Naaman was required to wash seven times in the river Jordan according to the directions of the prophet Elisha (2 Kings 5:10). After a display of stubbornness, he obeyed and was made clean (2 Kings 5:11-14).
To be cleansed of past sins, we must “Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord.” (Acts 22:16; cf. Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38; Colossians 2:12; Gal. 3:26-27; 1 Peter 3:21).
There is no internal power in the waters of baptism, just as there was no internal power in the waters of the Jordan River.
The power is of the Lord (Romans 1:16; 1 Corinthians 1:18), but we must first go to the water in total obedience in order to be blessed of the Lord (Romans 6:17; cf. Acts 8:36-39). We must be willing to fully obey the Lord.
Had Naaman had not fully obeyed the prophet‘s instructions to dip seven times (2 Kings 5:14), he would not have been cleansed of his leprosy.
The same principle of obedience holds true today. If we do not fully obey the Lord in baptism, we will not be cleansed of our sins.