Free To Live

When a standing pool of water becomes stagnant the signs are evident. Silt-covered debris lay motionless at the bottom, a greenish-brown film coats the surface, and even animals hesitate to drink from the rusty-colored mixture. It is dead water — not of much use! On the other hand, a pool of living water is easily recognized. It is moving water that undergoes a constant process of refreshing. Even if it is serene on the surface there is a bubbling supply of fresh water replenishing the old. Impurities do not remain long before they are filtered through the stones below or washed away in the flow of its life. Yes, it is living water — useful to satisfy the thirst of the soul.

The church today should be characterized as a flowing river of water, which is empowered by the Holy Spirit. Its purity should create a longing in others who thirst for righteousness, to come and drink. The church should be drawing others away from the broken cisterns of this world that cannot satisfy, to the Fountain of Living Water – to Jesus Christ and His unfailing love and grace! (Jer. 2:13) Yet, in so many ways this is not so! How it must grieve the heart of God as He stands over the pool called “the church”. How it must also sadden the heart of pastors who oversee the pools of local fellowships. Oh, there are pockets of fresh water here and there, but they seem to be slowly disappearing in the creeping advance of sinful influences. Worldliness, compromise, half-hearted devotion to God, pride, selfish ambition, prayerlessness, etc are only a partial list of sins that have long threatened to choke the very life out of the church!