His work in us

Do you remember the words Jesus spoke to the Samaritan woman? “The water that I will give you will become a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” (Joh 4,14)Jesus offers not just a sip of water, but an inexhaustible artesian well. This well is not a hole in your backyard, but the Holy Spirit of God in your heart. “Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.” He was speaking of the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were later to receive, because as yet the Spirit had not been given, since Jesus had not yet been glorified. (Joh 7,38-39).

In this verse, water is a picture of Jesus' work in us. He isn't doing something here to save us; that work has already been done. He is doing something to change us. Paul described it this way: "Therefore, dear friends, just as you have always obeyed, not only in my presence but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose." (Phil 2,12-13).

What do we do after we are "saved" (the work of Jesus' blood)? We obey God and stay away from things that displease him. In practical terms, we love our neighbors and stay away from gossip. We refuse to cheat the tax office or our wife and try to love the people who are unlovable. Are we doing this to be saved? no We do these things out of obedience because we are saved.

Something similarly dynamic happens in a marriage. Are a bride and groom ever more married than on their wedding day? The promises are made and the papers signed - can they be married more than they are today? Maybe they can. Imagine this couple fifty years later. After four children, after several moves and many ups and downs. After half a century of marriage, one finishes the other's sentence and orders food for the other. They even start to look alike. Don't they have to be more married on their golden wedding anniversary than they were on their wedding day? On the other hand, how would that be possible? The marriage certificate has not changed. But the relationship has matured and therein lies the difference. They are no more united than when they left the registry office. But their relationship has changed completely. Marriage is both a completed action and a daily development, something you have done and something you are doing.

This also applies to our life with God. Can you be more redeemed than on the day you accepted Jesus as your Savior? No. But can a person grow in salvation? Absolutely. Like a marriage, it is both a completed act and a daily development. The blood of Jesus is God's sacrifice for us. The water is God's Spirit within us. And we need both. John emphasizes that we must understand this. It is not enough to know what came out; we must know how both came out: "Immediately blood and water flowed out." (Joh 19,34).

John does not value one more than the other. But we do. Some accept the blood but forget the water. They want to be saved, but they don't want to be changed. Others accept the water but forget the blood. They work for Christ but have not found peace in Christ. And you? Do you lean one way or the other? Do you feel so saved that you never serve? Are you so happy with your team's points that you can't put the golf club down? If that applies to you, I would like to ask you a question. Why did God put you in the race? Why didn't he take you to heaven right after you were saved? You and I are here for a very specific reason and that reason is to glorify God in our ministry.

Or do you tend toward the opposite? Perhaps you always serve out of fear of not being saved. Perhaps you don't trust your team. You fear there's a secret scorecard on which your score is recorded. Is that the case? If so, know this: The blood of Jesus is sufficient for your salvation. Imprint the proclamation of John the Baptist on your heart. Jesus is "the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world." (Joh 1,29)The blood of Jesus does not cover, hide, postpone, or lessen your sins. It carries your sins away, once and for all. Jesus allows your faults to be lost in his perfection. When the four of us golfers stood in the clubhouse to receive our awards, only my teammates knew how poorly I had played, and they didn't tell anyone.

When you and I stand before God to receive our prize, only one will know of all our sins and he will not embarrass you - Jesus has already forgiven your sins. So enjoy the game. You are assured of the price. In addition, you can always ask the great teacher for help.

by Max Lucado

This text is taken from the book "Never Stop Starting Over" by Max Lucado, published by Gerth Medien ©2022. Max Lucado is the longtime pastor of Oak Hills Church in San Antonio, Texas. Used with permission.