“What you see is what you get” is a common slogan among today’s world populations. Normally, where one lives, what one wears, drives, etc.–one’s outward persona–are fairly accurate indications of one’s worth. However, this is not always true in the spiritual world. “All that glitters is not gold” is an expression that addresses an age-old question: Are we seeing outwardly a true reflection of one’s inward condition? Is Sister Better Than You in fact better than you? Do one’s religious motions impress the Lord as they do one’s religious peers?

In the 5th chapter of the Book of Second Kings we find the story of Naaman, a high ranking officer in Syria’s powerful army. This officer is described in the Bible as a “great man” and an “honorable and mighty man of valor” in the service of his heathen king and his heathen nation. Because of Israel’s rebellion against Him, God had sent the Syrian Army to defeat, capture and enslave them. Though mighty in battle, Naaman had a serious physical problem. Naaman was a leper.

Throughout history it has been customary for victorious armies to make slaves of those they conquered, including children. Such was the case of Naaman who had brought a young Israelite girl home from the war zone to serve as his wife’s handmaiden. One day the girl told her mistress that there was a prophet of Her God who would pray for her husband and he would be healed of his leprosy. Later, Naaman visited the prophet Elisha who pronounced total and permanent healing on him. Finding himself instantly cleansed by the God of the Israelites, the Syrian hero acknowledged that “… there is no God in all the earth but in Israel.” Question? What would happen if an ISIS soldier experienced the same thing that Naaman experienced? What if he then announced to the world that the Biblical God is indeed the only true God? What would be Christendom’s reaction? I can answer the question: He would be declared saved, born again and rapture-ready. He would be sent on a world-wide tour where he would give his testimony to hundreds of churches; he would be praised and lauded in print and on the screen; he would then be sent to a seminary where he would become the poster child for what a true man of God looked like and sounded like. Now back to Naaman.

As an expression of his gratitude, Naaman offered Elisha a sizable reward, which the prophet rejected. Seeing that God’s man would receive nothing from him, Naaman asked if he could take “… two mules burden of earth” from the Holy Land back to Syria so that he could OFFER SACRIFICES TO THE TRUE GOD WHILE STANDING ON THE HOLY LAND DIRT. In addition, he asked if the Lord would pardon his acts of idolatry each time he accompanied the Syrian king into the house of his god Rimnon and bowed beside the king as he worshiped the heathen deity. Elisha told him to go in peace.

Question: Can we assume that the prophet’s statement meant that Naaman would be in good standing with the Lord as he performed his services in the house of a heathen god. Note that Naaman did not say that Israel’s God would be his god as did Ruth the Moabitess when she turned to the God of Israel. Ruth publically announced that Israel’s God would be her God and His people would be her people. Did Naaman do this. Did he stay in Israel and send for his family to join him? Did Naaman’s outward actions mean that Jesus will say to him upon his return: “Well done good and faithful servant.” Did Naaman’s outward acts result in his inward salvation? Could I frequent a whorehouse while reciting Scripture and get away with it? Could I bypass the Lord’s command to “Abstain from even the appearance of evil” and be accepted by Him? The Word/God/Christ despising church (Lk. 10:16) shouts a resounding “Yes.” L.J.