THE SIMPLICITY OF THE WAY OF SALVATION.
By H. C. Holloway
WHEN the prophet Elisha told Naaman how he could be cured of his leprosy, he was slow to accept the offer, though he was fully conscious of his disease. The remedy was simply, “Wash and be clean.” This, however, did not please the leper; he expected to be cured in some way corresponding to his standing and importance. He looked for some demonstration and personal attention from Elisha himself. It appeared too simple a thing to Naaman to go and wash in Jordan in order to be cleansed from his leprosy. There was too little of show about it, not enough of ostentation. This offended his pride and he said, “Are not Abana and Pharpar, rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? may I not wash in them and be clean?” After all, is there not some other way by which I may be cleansed, than the one the prophet of Israel prescribes? So cries the proud mind of the flesh. This historic narrative suggests the chief obstruction in the way of many accepting the remedy provided for their cleansing from the leprosy of sin, viz., their pride. It is this pride that takes offense at the simplicity of the gospel mode. There is so little that appears about it; an obscure, unwitnessed thing; there is no special demonstration about it; no recognition of dignities; all so different from what the proud heart craves. Though the simplicity of the gospel is the leading feature as giving offense, yet this feature is really the glory and power of the gospel remedy. The power lies greatly in its simplicity. St. Paul tells us that the gospel of Christ is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth. If what men need for salvation were such a strange, intricate, and mysterious, scheme that few could comprehend, it would be shorn of much100of its power. All can understand it who will. The facts in the gospel, vital to its efficacy, are intelligible as the words, “Go, wash, and be clean.” “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved.” . . . . Then, this so simple and intelligible remedy is not remote. It is near. “The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart; that is, the word of faith, which we preach; that if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.” How feasible, too, is the gospel salvation; practical to all who hear. There is no great thing to be done, or by money and influence to be done. The smallest in position, and those who have nothing, stand an equal chance with the mightiest and the most opulent, because no great thing is to be done, no price is to be paid. In the simplicity of the gospel way of salvation, then, is its God-like feature.—Rev. H. C. Holloway, D. D.