As Christians we must obey the Lord and also have a desire or thirst for his Spirit.  We must thirst and we must trust in order to be filled with his Spirit as he desires.  Thirst suggests desire for the Lord and drinking suggests obedience and fully trusting in Him.  Our desire for more of the Lord will also include the desire for him to search our hearts in order to judge and put away any sin.  We are to be a separate people to the Lord from the evil world system.  We are called a "peculiar people" or as  'special' unto the Lord as Christians.  We are also to count ourselves as dead to sin and alive in Christ.  This can only be true in our lives daily as we yield to his Holy Spirit.

We are to desire the fruit of the Spirit and make Jesus Lord of our lives.  His peace, love, joy and other characteristics will fill our hearts when we let him be in control of our lives.  If one thirsts, they will want to drink of the Lord's  life giving water.  The Lord spoke of his Spirit as living waters which would be given to those who believed in Him.  It would be as a 'well of water' within, springing up  unto everlasting life.  He referred to the 'gift of God or eternal life' as living waters also in John 4: 10. The two go together, as the gift of salvation includes the presence of the Holy Spirit. 

Wherever the Holy Spirit is accepted, He brings eternal life.  Without the Spirit of God, we are none of his.  It was also the Holy Spirit who empowered the followers of Jesus on the Day of Pentecost, and has since been available to all who believe in Jesus as Savior.  These had been told by John the Baptist that the Lord would baptize them with 'the Holy Ghost and with fire'.  The power of the One whom John spoke had been made
manifest among them as foretold.  He also told them the Lord's winnowing fork was in his hand, which would separate the wheat from the chaff. 

Out of our innermost being shall flow 'rivers of Living Water' from the well or source of supply, and as we let God's Spirit arise, his enemies of doubt, division or fear will be scattered.   Trust, unity and confidence will surround us as the enemy must flee when the living water of the Lord flows.  The waters which flow shall touch lives with his saving message of hope, peace, and love to help bring new life.  These waters will also proclaim the 'wonderful works of the Lord' and all glory and honor will be given Him. 

When Jesus said 'come to me and drink,' he referred to his life giving blessings of the Spirit.  When he offered the Holy Spirit to all who believed, He was claiming to be the Messiah, for this was something only the Messiah could give.  On the day of Pentecost, those who heard the 120 Galileans who had received his Spirit, heard them proclaim 'the wonderful works of God' in their own languages and were amazed.  They asked what this meant and some mocking, thought they were drunk.  Peter explained that it was not as they supposed, but "this was that" spoken of by the Prophet Joel, as to the last days, and God pouring out His Spirit as prophesied.  {Acts 2: 16}

As a result of hearing about God's wonderful works, they believed upon Him. God's Spirit had been poured out just as He had promised as the Comforter had come to abide forever.  The Spirit of the Lord which flowed from these, as living waters, touched the lives of others and God gave the increase by his Holy Spirit that same day.  This same Spirit can fill us to overflowing if we have a thirst for God and a hunger for his righteousness.  He will make us fruitful if we worship Him in Spirit and in truth as commanded, and we can see the Kingdom of God become more populated.

Our Lord told the disciples those that believed on him, the works that he did, they shall do also, and even greater works because he would go unto his Father.  The disciples would carry the good news of the Gospel with signs following them, out of Palestine and unto the 
whole world by the power of his Holy Spirit. These had faith in the Lord for their salvation and believed upon him.  One of the tests of our faith as to being real and not dead faith, is our works according to the Book of James. Paul showed unto those to whom he first witnessed and presented the Gospel message, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance. Paul taught that we are saved by believing on Jesus and by salvation through the blood of Jesus.  They were not saved by good deeds or by keeping the law with its many rules and rituals, but if one has a true saving faith, they will have works in their life.  They were justified by grace through repentance and a true faith in Jesus Christ. We are saved in like manner and must have saving faith.

At first glance in the Book of James, it might look that Paul and James disagreed on faith and works, but further study shows us the two teachers are not at odds whatsoever.   Our good works can never earn our salvation but true faith results in a changed life with good works.   James spoke against those who confuse mere intellectual knowledge with true faith.  After all, he said even the demons knew who Jesus was, but they did not obey him.  True faith involves a commitment of our whole self to the Lord by repentance, change, and obeying the Lord.   Living as God wants us to live can never earn us our way into heaven, but it does show  that our commitment to Him is real.  We will know within our own spirit, if we are truly serving God and obeying his commands to us if we have studied to show ourselves approved a workman that needeth not be ashamed, rightfully dividing the Word of truth.  Romans 8 :16 tells us: "The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God".  He has told us not to be hearers of his Word only, but to be doers of the Word. {James 1: 22}  Our hearts will know if we are doers of all things He has commanded us, or if we are hearers only.   His Spirit will show us as the inward evidence of our salvation is a direct witness of the Spirit. {Romans 8: 16} The outward evidence is a life of righteousness and true holiness as one follows the Lord.

James presents the question in 2: 14, "what doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works?"  Can faith save Him? He goes on to tell us in verse 17, that "even so faith, if it hath not works is dead, being alone."  He is teaching us that saving faith in the blood of Jesus is tested by our actions and works. If we have righteous works by being yielded to God as commanded by our Lord, it shows us  we have a true commitment and true faith.  James used the example of devils, as believing  in God, to show us that believing is no proof that one is justified, for even devils believe without justification. 

 

James goes on to give two illustrations of life giving faith by using Abraham and Rahab  as examples as to their works and faith.  He concludes the chapter by stating that as our body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead faith also. May we seek to have a living and active faith in Jesus Christ that will cause us to desire more of Him each day and to follow in his footsteps.  We must have a thirst for more of our Lord and he will give us drink in an abundant measure that our cup might overflow.  This living water will fill us not only within, but also immerse us without, as it flows out of our innermost being, when we seek the fullness of His Spirit. He has promised to give us power  that we might be witnesses of his saving grace and over comers which brings Him all honor and glory. {Acts 1: 8}

May we seek to have a continual attitude of 'thirst and trusting' as we commit ourselves to Him and let him be Lord of our lives.  Fullness of his Spirit begins with
a thirst in our lives.  There is an abundant supply for all who come to the Savior to receive and to share. 

 

Blessings in Christ,

Jo Ann Kelly (c) 2002

J. P.'s Inspirations

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