The Temporary World
Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst.”
John 4:13-14
Things of the world are like water. We drink water for our thirst but after a while we need more water as our thirst returns. Jesus used this example of thirst to demonstrate how things of the world fail to bring lasting fulfillment to our eternal souls. However, Christ brings living water to our souls that we might be eternally fulfilled.
The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. (John 6:63) Jesus is telling us that the flesh (world) counts for nothing in giving life to our souls, but only the Spirit can bring our souls to life. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. (Galatians 5:22-23) The Holy Spirit dwells in the believer, and brings the character of God to us. Every Christian has an infinite supply of fruit from the Spirit, but the amount we can experience largely depends on us. The closer we are to the Lord, the more we understand him, the more we believe him, the more our souls experience the presence of the Holy Spirit. God is molding us to be Christ-like by renewing our minds and changing our hearts. This is an ongoing process which will continue until our last breath. This means our souls are progressively becoming one with the Spirit. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” (John 4:14) The “spring of water welling up,” is the increasing fulfillment from living in the Holy Spirit with decreasing fear and anger from Satan.
Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things have become new. (1 Corinthians 5:17) When we accept Christ and receive the indwelling Holy Spirit, our old sinful habits begin to pass away and all things become new. All things include us, who are changing to the mind and heart of Christ. As we change, our perspective of the world also changes because we now see through the eyes of Christ. We see God in all creation, and we see the good in people and in the world. We enjoy the world the way God intended, without fear and worry. We are filled with love, peace, joy, satisfaction, and security from the Spirit, which means we are now free to live lives to the full, in Christ.
Today, seek to be filled with love, peace, and joy from the Spirit, and see the world through the eyes of God. Seek to see the good in everyone and be encouraging to others. Enjoy the world today as God intended. Seek to slow down and see the beauty of his creation; enjoy the company of family, friends, and co-workers. Walk through the day with a thankful heart because it makes your day more pleasant.
Let’s pray: Lord, fill me with the Spirit so I don’t have to search the world for contentment or security. Help me to be free in Christ, controlled by the Spirit and not by the world. Let the world around me notice the peace, joy, and fulfillment that only Christ can provide. In Jesus’ name, Amen.