John 7:38 “Whoever believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him." (NIV)
At the feast, Jesus proclaimed this truth referring to the coming Holy Spirit. Jesus could have been more specific when referring to the Holy Spirit, but He wanted to differentiate what Judaism had become to what the new covenant would bring. Jesus created a rich picture of a new covenant relationship with God that is fresh, alive, exhilarating, and assured of salvation instead of the old covenant which weighed man down with unachievable rules and laws. The old covenant was intended for good, but resulted in failure while also enslaving man. Even though sin was defeated on the cross, sin can continue to sap the life out of a follower of Christ. Proverbs 1:22 helps you see this, "How long will you simple ones love your simple ways? How long will mockers delight in mockery and fools hate knowledge,” while verse 23 shows how yielding to the Holy Spirit results in more of God being poured into your life, “If you had responded to My rebuke, I would have poured out My heart to you and made My thoughts known to you.” (NIV)
God wants you to not only have eternal life (salvation), but to also experience the fullness of His life in you. In John 6:35, Jesus uses food to further accentuate how having Jesus not only meets your needs, but also brings life, “Then Jesus declared, ‘I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me will never go hungry, and he who believes in Me will never be thirsty.’” (NIV) The key to experiencing living waters is to move from a sedentary Christian life of immaturity to one of maturity that hears God, obeys God, and experiences God. Hebrews 6:1 says, “Therefore let us leave the elementary teachings about Christ and go on to maturity.” (NIV) John 8:31b-32 describes it this way, “If you hold to My teaching, you are really My disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." (NIV) When you embrace all that Jesus has for you, you will move from being merely a recipient of truth to experiencing the living waters of the Holy Spirit being released in you. God loves you as His child and finds great pleasure in seeing you experience His inexpressible life through His Spirit that lives in you.
Hosea 10:12 “Sow for yourselves righteousness, reap the fruit of unfailing love, and break up your unplowed ground; for it is time to seek the LORD, until He comes and showers righteousness on you.” (NIV)
Do you know someone who needs this message on experiencing more of God? If so, forward this devotion to them as a blessing for their growth in Christ.
Here are some Bible studies from Growing in Christ to help your transformative experience: “God’s Purpose For You”, “Satisfaction,” “Your Life in Christ,” and “Transformation.”