Living Waters

How much do you love it when you’re having a conversation with a dear friend, and they share something about themselves that you’ve never heard before? It’s as though you’re seeing your friend with fresh eyes. You’ve gained new insight and perspective into who they are as a person; your appreciation for them deepens; you better understand their challenges, victories, and their walk with Christ. Those are times when the bonds of friendship deepen and strengthen. Those are moments of great joy for me.

Even better are the times when you read a familiar passage of Scripture – verses that feel like long-time, much-loved friends – and suddenly it’s as though you are seeing the verse for the very first time. Fresh eyes! Do you know that feeling?

The Holy Spirit opens your eyes, your heart, and your mind. He expands your understanding, and the verse speaks to you in a way that it never has before. And as it is with an old friend, those are times when the relationship with your Father deepens and strengthens. Those are moments of truly great joy for me.

Not surprisingly, the more frequently and consistently I’m in the Word, the more often I experience those times of illumination. I love it so much when that happens!

While reading John Chapter 7 recently, my focus was drawn to verses 37-39.

 “On the last day of the feast, the great day, Jesus stood up and cried out, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. Whoever believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.'” Now this He said about the Spirit, whom those who believed in Him were to receive, for as yet the Spirit had not been given because Jesus was not yet glorified.” John 7:37-39

To set the stage: It was the last day of the Feast of Tabernacles. The purpose of the 7-day festival was to celebrate and remember God’s constant presence, His goodness, and His provision for the Israelites during their 40-year sojourn in the wilderness; it was also a time to celebrate the harvest. Rabbinic tradition tells us that one key feature of the festival was when the High Priest would ceremonially draw water from the Pool of Siloam into a golden vessel which was then carried in procession to the Temple to pour on the altar in an act of worship, remembrance, and thanksgiving for God’s miraculous provision of water for His children during their time in the desert. 

On the last day of the festival, John wrote that Jesus stood up and loudly proclaimed:

“If anyone (totally inclusive – not just Jews) thirsts, let him come and drink. Whoever (again, includes ALL without exception) believes in Me…out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.” John 7:38

When reading this passage previously, my focus was on Jesus, our source of Living Waters, and the response the Jewish listeners would have had to His words – as God had provided water in the wilderness to the Israelites, Jesus proclaimed that HE was the source and provider of living waters. This was a dramatic proclamation of His identity as the Messiah.

While I had pondered and praised that truth, I glossed over the part that says that whoever believes in Jesus will then become a channel of living waters to others.

As a believer in Jesus Christ, I am to be a channel of living waters to others. As a Christ-follower, you are to be a channel of living waters to those around you.

What does that mean? What does that look like? John 7:39 provides insight for us:

“Now this He said about the Spirit, whom those who believed in Him were to receive, for as yet the Spirit had not been given because Jesus was not yet glorified.” John 7:39

Jesus’ statement was a prophecy of the soon-to-come Holy Spirit and the Holy Spirit’s transformative work in and through believers once Christ had returned to the Father after His resurrection.

As believers, we are immediately indwelt by the Holy Spirit of God when we accept Jesus as our LORD and Savior. The Holy Spirit is the regenerating force, the “Living Waters,” that comes to live in us bringing new life, vitality, God-awareness, transformation, and sanctification. Here’s a more complete look at the work of the Holy Spirit:    

– Regenerates us into a new life in Christ – John 3:3-8, 6:63

– Indwells – takes up residence in us: John 14:17, 1 Corinthians 2:16

– Fills the believer: Acts 2:4; 4:8, 31; 9:17; 13:9, 52; Ephesians 5:18

– Baptizes us into the body of Christ: – 1 Corinthians 12:13

– Seals and Guarantees our Salvation: 2 Corinthians 1:22, Ephesians 1:13-14

– Dispenses Spiritual Gifts: 1 Corinthians 12:1-12, 27-30, Hebrews 2:4

– Illuminates – Shines a light on God’s Truth:  1 Corinthians 2:10-16, Ephesians 3:5, Colossians 1:9

As the Holy Spirit does His work in us, it is only natural that the “Living Waters” that are being poured into us fill us to overflowing, and others benefit from the spillover.

Let’s take a fresh look at this familiar passage from Galatians:

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things, there is no law.

And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.

If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit.” Galatians 5:22-25

These four verses give us the What, Why, and How of the “Living Waters” that is to be flowing through us to others:

WHAT: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control

Do those around you see these Living Waters’ characteristics consistently demonstrated in your life?

WHY: Because we belong to Jesus. We are a new creature in Christ, we are to put to death the flesh (the old man) with its ungodly passions and desires.

Is the old man staying dead? Or are you frequently resuscitating the flesh to pursue its passions and desires?

HOW: By walking in step with the Holy Spirit of God – led, guarded, and guided by the Holy Spirit. This “how” requires time in the Word, time in prayer, and godly intentionality in every part of your life.

What keeps you from walking in lockstep with the Holy Spirit?

What priorities are more important to you than your relationship with God and your obedience to Him?

Think about this: Are you willing to stand before God one day to present your argument as to why you chose other priorities over obeying and serving Him? Our salvation is secure, but we all will be required to one day give an accounting for our actions. (Romans 14:12)

The Living Waters were purchased at great cost for you by Jesus on the cross. Are you allowing those Waters to flow through you, fill you, and then overflow to everyone you meet?

“Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.” Proverbs 4:23

 “Whoever brings blessing will be enriched, and one who waters will himself be watered.” Proverbs 11:25

“Shall We Gather At The River” Instrumental by Pat Homberg from Audiosocket