A FOUNTAIN OF LIFE

            Our relationship with Christ Jesus is rooted in “the water of life".  Life in the kingdom of God begins with a baptism through which we are born of the water and the Spirit (Jn.3:5 and Titus 3:5).  In the lyrical words of the apostle Paul:  Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her; that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of the water with the word, that He might present to Himself the church in all her glory… (Eph.5:25b-27a).  In a vivid portrait of the soon-approaching fall of Jerusalem, the apostle John announced, It is done, I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end.  I will give to the one who thirsts from the spring of the water of life without cost (Rev.21:6).  In fully establishing the New Covenant realm which necessitated the destruction of the temple (Heb.9:8), Christ Jesus put a capstone on His redemption work and paradise lost becomes paradise restored.  To drink of the water offered to us by our Lord is embrace everlasting life.  As Jesus declared, the water that I give him shall become in him a well of water springing up to eternal life (Jn.4:14).   

            Have you ever thought about how our spiritual roots ought to re-direct our lifestyle?  In other words, our beginnings ought to affect our doings (our behavior).  The glory of the church shines most brightly when God’s people participate in becoming a fountain of blessing to others.  Indeed, we have been set apart (sanctified) for this very purpose.  In the sermon on the mount Jesus said it this way:  Give, and it shall be given to you…for by your standard of measure it will be measured to you in return (Lk.6:38).  These are sobering words.  God's expectation for us as His holy people is that we might be a fountain of life to others - - not in the sense that we become their savior, but rather that we lead others to THE SAVIOR.      

            In his indispensable collection of pithy and colorful proverbs, the wise king Solomon proclaims this maxim:  the generous man will be prosperous, and he who waters will himself be watered (Prov.11:25).  It seems very likely that Jesus had these words in mind when he delivered His majestic sermon on the mount.  The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life (Prov.13:14).  We Christians are compelled to go about watering.  Our “watering” is expressed in a variety of significant ways, among them:  assisting others monetarily, doing good deeds and speaking helpful words.  In supplying us richly, our Lord has charged us with a responsibility to be rich in good works (and) to be generous and ready to share (1Tim.6:17-19).  As ones who have drunk of the fountain we must also become a fountain to others.  

                                                                        Terry Siverd / Cortland Church of Christ