1160. The Sins of Saints

The Sins of Saints

Naaman a Picture (1Co_10:11).

Leprosy and the Loss of Fellowship (Isa_59:2).

Leprosy in the Lives of Saints (Eph_4:22).

Helps Toward Deliverance (Rom_7:24).

Hindrances to Deliverance (2Ki_5:11).

Deliverance Obtained (Luk_17:14).

Deliverance and Its Aftermath (2Ki_5:14).

There are so many lessons to be found in the story of Naaman, that one is almost at a loss to know where to begin and where to stop. We have tried in this study to follow an almost new line. After hurriedly acknowledging the simpler and perhaps plainer message of the healing of Naaman, in its application to both the sinner as an individual, and then to Israel as a nation, we have sought to cull some lessons applicable to the sinning, stumbling saint.

In speaking of the sins of the wicked, we often forget that sin, too often, holds a forbidden sway over the children of God.

The theme may not be pleasant, but it is vital. We would that all the saved were living on the plane of victory; but such is not the case.

We do not by any means wish to suggest that saints sin the same as sinners sin. Not at all. Sinners choose sin; saints choose righteousness. Sinners wallow in sin; saints stumble into sin.

We do mean to say, and to say emphatically, that saints do sin. "If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar." "If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves."

We do not say that saints must sin, or that they cannot refrain from sinning–that is far from the truth. "Sin shall not have dominion over you." Neverthless saints do sin, and their sin is just as loathsome, as a sinner's sin. Sin is leprosy whether it be the sin of the wicked, the sin of Israel, or the sin of the saint. Let us then ask God to give saints a message from this story of the leprosy of Naaman and of his healing.

Autor: R.E. NEIGHBOUR