With rebellion often comes despair. (Photo by Heather Mount on Unsplash)
…For Desert Wanderers
We are all born rebels, enemies toward God. Our rebellion often takes us into a dry and weary land. As enemies, we cannot have peace with God—not now, not ever.
Yet, there is a way to find peace with God. Out of His great love and mercy toward mankind, from eternity past, He commands to all:
1 “Come, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and he who has no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.
2 Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your labor for that which does not satisfy? Listen diligently to me, and eat what is good, and delight yourselves in rich food.
3 Incline your ear, and come to me; hear, that your soul may live; and I will make with you an everlasting covenant, my steadfast, sure love for David. (Isaiah 55: 1-3)
Living Water
Jesus Christ is that living water that wells up into eternal life. (Photo by Casey Horner on Unsplash)
So, where is this water, free for you to take? Where is this water that brings reconciliation, peace and the love of God for you? Here is an account of one who encountered this water:
10 Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God, and who it is that is saying to you, ‘Give me a drink,’ you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water.” 11 The woman said to him, “Sir, you have nothing to draw water with, and the well is deep. Where do you get that living water? 12 Are you greater than our father Jacob? He gave us the well and drank from it himself, as did his sons and his livestock.” 13 Jesus said to her, “Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, 14 but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty forever. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” (John 4: 10-14)
Jesus Christ, by means of who He is and what He did, is the living water that brings peace and reconciliation with God.
How Do You Come To The Living Waters?
Come to the waters, that your soul may live. (Photo by Josh Gordon on Unsplash)
You come to the living waters of Jesus Christ bringing nothing—nothing you have done or are.
29 And the jailer called for lights and rushed in, and trembling with fear he fell down before Paul and Silas. 30 Then he brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” 31 And they said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.” (Acts 16: 29-31)
The way is simple—believe, and you will receive the free gift of pardon, peace and love, plus the grant of eternal life with Him. With the battle over, you will receive the blessings of faith and assurance, among many others.
How do you know whether your belief will bring true saving faith?
First, you have to to believe what the Bible says about Jesus Christ, such as:
- He is God come to earth in human flesh
- He has the power and authority to save
- He paid the price for our sins on the cross and suffered death on our behalf
- He was resurrected from the dead, that He ascended into heaven in glory
- He is coming again to judge the world
Second, you have to agree with what the scriptures say about who Jesus is and what he does is really, really true.
Third, you have to personally trust in Christ alone for salvation, with no dependence on your own achievements, works, or striving. And, arising out of this, you should have a new-found love and affection for Jesus. Read more about saving faith.
Now, what is keeping you from coming to the living waters, as God commands? You can start by:
- Hearing the Word preached. Visit North Greenville Church services. Or, listen to some of our sermons about salvation.
- Reading your Bible. Consider reading the Gospel According to Mark, the shortest of the Gospels.
- Praying to God for the living water of Jesus Christ to reconcile you to Him.
If you have any questions or struggles, feel free to contact us at pastor@northgreenvillechurch.org; (864) 420-8112.