John 4:15 The woman said to Him, "Sir, give me this water, so I will not be thirsty nor come all the way here to draw."
The idea of never thirsting and not having to make the long walk to the well or carry the heavy load of water each day must have been extremely appealing. But Jesus wasn’t offering the woman an easier, more convenient life. That’s not what He meant by the offer of living water, but that’s the natural desire of almost everyone. As we share with others the call of the gospel, we want to be sure that we are not appealing to this natural desire for a happy, convenient life. Telling people to follow Jesus because He promises to make them happy is false advertising. It’s misleading. They will have to give up their pursuit of happiness in terms of this world.
Most people love their lives in this world. They are looking for anything that will make their lives better. Here in the U.S., the pursuit of the American Dream and personal peace and affluence isn’t questioned. We think personal happiness in this world is a constitutional right. It is assumed to be an honorable purpose in life. I can’t count how many times I’ve heard people say, “God wants you to be happy”, which is true, but in the same way Jesus offered the woman living water. Happiness or living water isn’t to be understood in a natural, material way.
Let’s be reminded from this verse that our pursuit of happiness isn’t temporal. What God offers us is fullness of joy that comes from loving in the power of the Holy Spirit. His joy comes as we drink from His well of living water. Allow me to change the imagery, to the vine and branch analogy. Jesus, the vine, gives His life to us, the branches. The vine offers an eternal supply of fruit-producing sap to us. As Jesus’ life pours through us, we display His love, fruit for both the Father and a hungry world to enjoy. As we live to love with Jesus, we experience His joy which is a source of happiness that is out of this world.
As I wrap up today’s live to love encouragement, let’s listen to Jesus’ words about this.
I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me, you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in Me, he is thrown away as a branch and dries up; and they gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned. If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be My disciples. Just as the Father has loved Me, I have also loved you; abide in My love. If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love; just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love. These things I have spoken to you so that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full.
The happiness Jesus offers and that we have to offer isn’t the offer of an easier, more convenient life, but the offer of an eternal supply of life-giving, joy-producing, soul-satisfying fruitfulness to be experienced in this life and forever. Hallelujah! For this one cries to Jesus, “Sir, give me this water!” As for us, we say, “Father, thank You for giving us this living water through Your son, Jesus Christ. We are blessed in abundance by Your generosity and amazing grace.”
I invite you to become a partner in our ministry. Would you pray about becoming a regular supporter of Elijah Ministries and the Live to Love with Jesus ministry? I hope you will receive the joy and benefit of “giving it forward,” so others may receive encouragement to turn their hearts to God and to live to love with Jesus. You may give online or send a check to the address listed at www.spiritofelijah.com/donate.
