Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. John 14:6 NKJV

Freedom is not only not free, it’s exceedingly rare. In the immensely interesting book, THE MIRACLE OF FREEDOM: THE SEVEN TIPPING POINTS THAT SAVED THE WORLD, the authors Chris Stewart and Ted Stewart point out that there are some estimates that one hundred to one hundred ten billion people have lived on Earth since Adam and Eve. They also speculate that perhaps less than five billion have lived in relative freedom which can be defined as self-government, belief in the equality of man, the rule of law, the pursuit of justice and a focus on personal liberty. Think about this! Less than five percent of all people who have ever lived have lived in freedom. The authors say that it was the marriage of Greek philosophy and Christian theology that produced freedom. They are close, but the reality is far deeper!

For He (Abba) made Him (Yeshua) who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. 2 Cor 5:21 NKJV

I have been reading Job and Romans as I plow my way through the Word of God again. Job asks the question, “How then can man be righteous before God?”(Job 25:4). Romans, in turn, gives the happy answer…Jesus (Yeshua) (Romans 3:21-25)! Righteousness is the root and foundation of liberty. Without righteousness you are still a slave to sin. Someone with slavery in their hearts will always produce slave fruit. You are on the ‘outside’ what you are on the ‘inside.’ Since the fall, man has always produced slave systems of government starting with Nimrod, the first king. Jesus said, “Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed” (John 8:36).

Jesus has to come and change the nature of a man from slave to freeman, from sin to righteousness, from hatred and fear to real love. Once Jesus has restored liberty in the heart of a man, then that man can bring forth the fruit of liberty in what we call political freedom. There is something to consider – the man with slavery in his heart, sin in his nature, is only comfortable with slavery in his lifestyle. Some people only flourish in rigid systems. This is why the idea of trying to foist limited self-government on unsaved peoples has failed from Russia and the Middle East to the ends of the earth, and not just in our lifetimes, but from Adam and Eve – one hundred billion enslaved ones. You produce what you are. Remember, even Israel wanted a king!

People with slavery in their hearts produce not only political slavery but also economic slavery. Realize that there are always masters as a part of any slave system. The Communist Party that controls the government of China that enslaves 1.4 billion people has ninety million members, i.e., the slave masters. Any organization can be enslaving if the influencers have slavery in their hearts. Discern what is in the hearts of those who want you to be associated with them!

So, what is mankind’s hope? Does mankind have the possibility of freedom, of prosperity, of favor, blessing and growth from generation to generation? CHRISTIANITY TODAY published a study years ago proving – the results were tested over and over again with the same result – that if you can drop a group of pure hearted missionaries advancing the pure message of Jesus Christ into a country of unsaved ones,  in a hundred years that country will be far more advanced in freedom, education and prosperity than similar countries without those Gospel sharers. Our Lord Jesus is the hope of all true civilization!

Now I want to show you one of the great salvation stories in the Old Testament. (Ohh, you thought people only got saved in the New Testament, right? No…they got BORN AGAIN in the New Testament, but salvation and eternal life has been available since A&E!). One of the things I love about this record is that we never hear the name of the one did this great work.

Now Naaman, commander of the army of the king of Syria, was a great and honorable man in the eyes of his master, because by him the Lord had given victory to Syria. He was also a mighty man of valor, but a leper. 2 Kings 5:1-2 NKJV

Naaman was a really good guy even before he was saved. Through him the Lord had given Syria victory. You find people like this in history, people that the grace of God was upon even before they met the Lord. Mitsuo Fuchita, the Japanese pilot who lead the Pearl Harbor raid, survived the war, got born again and became a missionary…to the USA. Amazing! The grace of our God knows no bounds…

Naaman was a leper. I’ve met lepers in India with no fingers, no toes, maybe other body parts gone…a terrible disease. Naaman is going to get healed, then he is going to get saved!

And the Syrians had gone out on raids, and had brought back captive a young girl from the land of Israel. She waited on Naaman’s wife. Then she said to her mistress, “If only my master were with the prophet who is in Samaria! For he would heal him of his leprosy.” 2 Kings 5:2-4 NKJV

The treatment of slaves, especially captives, in the ancient world was one of unspeakable brutality generally. But this young girl had great favor upon her because she believed the Lord and in the ministry of His prophet Elisha. Now listen…she had the love and the courage to speak into the life of the one who enslaved her! She spoke RHEMA words that had impact far beyond anything that they should have, given her station in life. THAT is how powerful RHEMA words are!

And Naaman went in and told his master, saying, “Thus and thus said the girl who is from the land of Israel.” 2 Kings 5:4 NKJV

Naaman was a hungry guy. Jesus said, “They that hunger and thirst after righteousness shall be filled.” (Mt 5:6) If you ask yourself, ‘Why Naaman?’ then this is the answer. Nothing happens but in response to principle. Why did you meet ‘that person’ at ‘that place?’ There are answers, and it is a major aspect of the gift of discerning of spirits to reveal it. Always ask ‘Why?’ When you ask, then listen.

…Please let him come to me, and he shall know that there is a prophet in Israel.” 2 Kings 5:8 NKJV

The king sends Naaman to Israel’s king, but that is a waste of time. Typical politician! The young girl never said anything about the king. But Elisha gets revelation, telling the king to send Naaman over to his house, and saves the kings bacon.

“Go and wash in the Jordan seven times, and your flesh shall be restored to you, and you shall be clean.” 2 Kings 5:10 NKJV

I love this again! Simple RHEMA words…the Lord showed Elisha what Naaman was to do, because Naaman was hungry and had acted in faith from the young girls RHEMA words. RHEMA words release faith (Romans 10:17). The faith burden for healing is on both the recipient and the one ministering, generally speaking. When we raised the child from the dead in the Kampala hospital the faith burden was entirely on us because the recipient was dead. Do you see it? Pastors, if you want to see more healing miracles, preach and teach faith for healing. People who follow you will get it and believe.

Naaman gets healed, then look what happens. Naaman gets saved!

So Naaman said, “Then, if not, please let your servant be given two mule-loads of earth; for your servant will no longer offer either burnt offering or sacrifice to other gods, but to the Lord. 2 Kings 5:17 NKJV

Elisha does something beautiful here. First, by revelation he refuses Naaman’s gift – the Lord knew the leprosy of Naaman was still in the clothing and He saves Elisha’s bacon. But then when Naaman asks a question about his job and bowing in the house of Rimmon, Elisha simply says, “Go in peace.” I love that! No scolding, no condemnation, no legalism. Do you see that? The love of God is so loving, so kind, so individually purposed!

You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Matt 5:14-15 NKJV

The young girl and Elisha spoke RHEMA words that touched the life of a great influential leader. Just how many lives came to know the God of Israel through that man’s testimony? When you walk with God your life has ripple effects far beyond the scope of your understanding. Ask Him daily to fill your mouth with good things. Then, as we say, ‘let her rip, tater chip!’ People will get healed as you speak by the Spirit of God, and come to know the God and Father of our Lord Jesus!

I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life. John 8:12 NKJV

So, Jesus is mankind’s only hope! I’d like to say that Jesus in you is the hope of a better tomorrow wherever you have influence. Wherever you go, people live! Wherever you go, miracles happen! Truly, it is so much fun to be a born again one! Together we are salt and light to a world on the edge of oblivion. Hold your head up! Let your light shine! Open your mouth and let living waters flow out of you to bring life wherever you go! Others will rise up in eternity some day to testify to the effectiveness of your ministry, for through you He became their hope. Love you!

Remember dear ones, we must be about our Father’s business…