Naomi was a most religious...
Illustration
Naomi was a most religious person. She attended a Bible study group, taught Sunday school and sang in the choir. But there was little joy in her life. She seemed always afraid of displeasing God. Naomi frequently asked, "What does God demand of me now?"
One day Naomi felt a sharp pain in the back of her neck. Her doctor examined her and ordered x-rays, but no cause of the pain could be found. Pain medications and some muscle relaxers were prescribed, but they provided little relief. Soon her pain became so severe that she couldn't turn her head, and she was admitted to the hospital. That's when her best friend, Connie, came to visit her.
Connie was very perceptive. Rather than asking Naomi about her neck pain, she asked if something was weighing on her conscience. Then Naomi told of an extra marital affair she had had years ago. No one else knew about this, and her guilt was a huge burden. Connie spoke with her about sin and grace. "Of course an extramarital affair is sin. But when we are sorry, I believe that God forgives us and frees us from the guilt of our sin." Naomi had heard such things in sermons before, but from her friend it was as if she heard it for the first time.
Soon Naomi was released from the hospital. Her pain was gone. She had literally felt the chains of the law around her neck, but was now freed by grace.
--Kaul
One day Naomi felt a sharp pain in the back of her neck. Her doctor examined her and ordered x-rays, but no cause of the pain could be found. Pain medications and some muscle relaxers were prescribed, but they provided little relief. Soon her pain became so severe that she couldn't turn her head, and she was admitted to the hospital. That's when her best friend, Connie, came to visit her.
Connie was very perceptive. Rather than asking Naomi about her neck pain, she asked if something was weighing on her conscience. Then Naomi told of an extra marital affair she had had years ago. No one else knew about this, and her guilt was a huge burden. Connie spoke with her about sin and grace. "Of course an extramarital affair is sin. But when we are sorry, I believe that God forgives us and frees us from the guilt of our sin." Naomi had heard such things in sermons before, but from her friend it was as if she heard it for the first time.
Soon Naomi was released from the hospital. Her pain was gone. She had literally felt the chains of the law around her neck, but was now freed by grace.
--Kaul
