His work in us

Do you remember the words that Jesus addressed to the Samaritan woman? "The water that I will give will become a fountain of water springing up into eternal life" (John 4,14). Jesus not only offers a drink 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 the Scriptures say, streams of living water will flow from within him. But this he said of the Spirit, which those who believed in him should receive; for the spirit was not yet there; for Jesus was not yet glorified” (John 7,38-39).

In this verse, water is a picture of Jesus' work in us. He's not doing anything here to save us; this work is already done. He does something to change us. Paul described it this way: “Therefore, beloved, as you have always been obedient, not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God who works in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure" (Philippians 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 the day you accepted Jesus as your Savior? no But can a man grow in salvation? In any case. Like marriage, it is a completed act and a daily development. The blood of Jesus is God's sacrifice for us. The water is God's Spirit in us. And we need both. Johannes attaches great importance to our knowing this. It's not enough to know what came out; we need to know how both came out: "Immediately blood and water came out" (John 1 Cor9,34).

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 towards the opposite? Perhaps you are always serving out of fear of not being saved. Maybe you don't trust your team. You fear there is a secret card on which your score is written. If this is the case? If so, you may know: The blood of Jesus is enough for your salvation. Keep John the Baptist's announcement in your heart. Jesus is "the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world" (John 1,29). The blood of Jesus does not cover, conceal, postpone or diminish your sins. It carries away your sins, once and for all. Jesus allows your flaws to be lost in His perfection. As the four of us golfers stood in the club building to receive our award, only my teammates knew how poorly I 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 was taken from the book "Never stop starting again" by Max Lucado, published by Gerth Medien ©2022 was issued. Max Lucado is the longtime pastor of Oak Hills Church in San Antonio, Texas. Used with permission.