The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1939-08-10

other.-Ephesians 4:32.
Loving kindness and tender mer-
cies" (Ps. 103:4) are among the glo-
rious attributes of our God, and con-
sequently characteristic of those
who love and serve Him. The world
has all but forgotten these virtues,
for in its brutal determination to
achieve results there is only an out
ward veneer of courtesy and consid-
GRAFTON which extends itself primari-
ly to those from whom some advan-
tage may be obtained or who are
highly regarded because of their
wealth or position. The poor and
needy, the aged and afflicted are
quickly brushed aside as unfortu-
nate hindrances in the path of prog
ress.
In all times Gods people have
been those most considerate of 9TH
ers. 1t is they who have given time
and effort and means to help those
in need. The life of Elisha is well
characterized as a life of helpful
ness. 1t is surprising to find how
many of his miracles were for the
purpose of helping others. God's
servants are called to be leaders and
to be preachers, but they are none
theless called to carry on life of
helpful service. Elisha's experience
with Naaman suggests how we may
exercise such a ministry. Without
seeking to designate verses in the
text, shall we observe that we must
I. Find the One in Need.
1t is not always that the one with
the deepest need makes himself
known. In fact, it is commonly true
that those who have the greatest
need and are possibly the most
worthy of help keep their sorrows
to themselves. Certainly it is true
that those afflicted with the leprosy
of sin do not often come to church.
We must go out and seek them and
bring them in.
: One of the weaknesses of many
churches today is that they go
through their regular services,
which may include preaching the
gospel, and then they lament the
fact that sinners do not come to the
services to hear and be saved. Let
us be reminded that it is our bust
ness to go out into the highways
and the byways to find those in need.
Naaman's experience illustrates how
the simple word of a little slave
girl was instrumental in bringing the
leper in touch with the man of God.
Had she failed in her responsibility,
the prophet would have missed his
opportunity to minister. Even the
humblest believer has his important
work, seeking out the lost and
needy, and may thus be the means
of bringing about great blessing.
ii. Locate and Diagnose the Con-
dition.
Naaman knew that he had leprosy
but he did not know that he had a
blight of soul called pride. The
prophet, acting under the guidance
and control of God, struck right at
the heart of things when he directed
Naaman to crush his pride and to
show his faith by obeying God s
command to wash seven times in the
Jordan.
The story has many important ap-
plications. Let us be sure that in
our efforts to help people physically
or socially, we get through to their
real need, the need of Christ. Let
us also be careful not to modify or
change Gods requirement. There
is one way of salvation-through
faith in Christ; there is no other
remedy for sin. A man "must be
born again. or che cannot enter
the kingdom of God" (see John 3:
sd. If men are too proud to 90
that way, they cannot be saved.
Observe also that there was no re-
spect of persons on the part of Eli
sha. Naaman was a great and dis
tinguished man, ready to bestow
rich gifts, but the man of God had
no interest in those things. He want
ed only to give Gods message.
III. Apply the Remedy.
One would be quick to condemn
the trained physician who, having
found his patient and having given
his attention to his need, made a
careful and accurate diagnosis and
then sent him away without apply
ing the cure which was in his pos
session. AS the servants of Christ
the great Physician, engaged in the
cure of souls, we need to be equally
wise, 1t is commendable to engage
in a discussion of the problems of
needy men and women, expressing
our heart interest in that need. 1t
is desirable that we clarity our
knowledge of their need and accu-
rately understand the truth of the
gospel which meets that need. How
ever, all of these things are quite
meaningless unless they result in the
bringing of the gospel to bear on the
lives of the unconverted.