Rivers of living water:

John 7:38

38     “He who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, ‘From his innermost being will flow rivers of living water.’ ”

     

            Since we believe in Jesus, from our deepest recesses will surge rivers of living water. Living water was that which flowed. It wasn’t some pond where the waters just sat there. Water came in, and water flowed out. That’s the way it is to be with us. The water of the Holy Spirit flows into us, and should flow out of us to help those around us.

If you could hear God speak to you, I believe this is what He would say:

            "From within you come forth My blessings through My Spirit. He will flow outward from your innermost being. He will abound in your life and will minister to those around you. He is like a river, not a tiny stream. He will build in strength and power within you as He flows out of you. He will become a raging river in the lives of others as you let Him.”

            51. I have believed in Jesus, and therefore from my innermost being will flow rivers of living water.

Water metaphor:

            Regeneration and renewing:

Titus 3:5-7

5     He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit,

     6     whom He poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior,

     7     so that being justified by His grace we would be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

            This underlines the fact that our salvation doesn’t depend on what we’ve done to earn it. It also doesn’t depend on our becoming good enough. It’s completely based on His mercy and grace. We were washed clean when we were regenerated by the Holy Spirit. It wasn’t just a drop or two. He was poured out upon us abundantly. We have all of the Holy Spirit that we will ever need. Through all this we were made heirs of an incredible inheritance.

If you could hear God speak to you, I believe this is what He would say:

            "It is through My Spirit that you were brought into fellowship with Me. He it is who made you acceptable unto Me through the blood of My Son. My Spirit applies that blood to your heart and brings you into oneness with Me. He will cleanse you and make you whole as you allow Him to do. Trust in His work in you to bring it about. I delighted so much in you that I purposed to give Him to you that you might know His presence for all eternity.”

            50. I didn’t have to work for my salvation, doing deeds of righteousness. It was through His mercy and grace that I experienced the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit.

The Holy Spirit

  

            This chapter is about our destiny in regards to the Holy Spirit. We are going to see how His labor in our lives assists us in becoming what God purposed for His children. We could not approach God without Him, and we can’t survive in this world without His helping us every instant of the day and night.

At Work in Salvation:

            Gift:

            Gift for the called:

Acts 2:38-39

38     Peter said to them, “Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

     39     “For the promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off, as many as the Lord our God will call to Himself.”

     

            Here is the formula for receiving the gift of the Holy Spirit. Since you have repented and been baptized (remember our assumptions), then you have received Him. There are instances, though, in the Bible in which people received the Holy Spirit without being baptized; Cornelius and family being the most prominent. Also notice that this is a gift. You didn’t have to earn it; didn’t have to get good enough; and didn’t have to understand all about it. In verse 39 it says that this is a promise. The Holy Spirit is a promise from the Father. God always keeps His promises. It also says it wasn’t just for the first Church … it’s for as many as the Lord our God will call to Himself. That means YOU!

If you could hear God speak to you, I believe this is what He would say:

            "I have chosen to give My children My Spirit. He is all that I am. When He indwells you, you will experience My life in you. He is for all who turn to Me, not just for a few special chosen ones. He also will be with you for all eternity. I have promised Him to all My children, and they can enjoy His presence throughout their lives.”

            49. God has called me to Himself; I have repented; been baptized; and I have received the gift of the Holy Spirit. I didn’t have to earn it. He was a gift to me.

            Jesus … that one word sums up the entire thing. Without Him, we would be nothing as the song says. With Him, we are more than conquerors. We are destined for all this because of what He did. We are now His brothers and sisters. We share the same Father. Jesus, Jesus, Jesus … there’s just something about that Name.