"And all drank the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ."
–1 Corinthians 10:4.
It is an amazing thing that such a well should even exist for men who would rather drink iniquity than water. Yet it is even more amazing to observe those that drink from it. This well that so thoroughly satisfies the thirsty needs of guilty sinners. This well that replenishes the famished soul with health and vitality, the true fountain of youth, that boldly proclaims it’s power to give eternal life, at no cost whatsoever, to poverty stricken and bankrupt souls.
It ask for nothing and gives everything. It’s called the well of GOD’S free grace. "And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely." Revelation 22;17. Yet to our amazement we see those who drink, some drink of this water as if it were gall and wormwood. They spew it out of their mouth’s in detestation of it’s simplicity, it’s plainness, it’s candor and it’s humility, just like a cup of water .
They would rather have waters laced and laden with the prideful accomplishments of men’s labors. Waters whose taste emanate with the scent of the will, intellect and high learning of the scholar. To them such waters are much better. "Forasmuch as this people refuseth the waters of Shiloah that go softly, and rejoice in Rezin and Remaliah's son;" Isaiah 8;6. Never mind that these waters do not accomplish life, nor truly satisfies the real need the of soul, and such waters they must both pay for and pump to receive, drinking constantly from them and perishing while doing so. These are the waters of false religion.
There is yet another curious group who stop in at the well of life. Sort of passers by, they drink, and it appears to satisfy them for a season and they express a delight and joy that such waters have been provided for men’s souls. They laugh with the people of GOD in the confidence of a robed righteousness and sure covenant.
But by and by off they go to return to those wells without water to afflict their souls in the dry vanishing preoccupation of sin, in the deserts of the world, or then to the wells of legalism and works, duty and rigor, ceremony and pomp, that they also miserably fail at and are not satisfied. And when they sense that famine within and the load on their shoulders, they return to the waters of free grace and drink, only to leave again when they have fattened their souls.
And the last are such as come to the waters of free grace and drink freely and continually. As if there was no other well to drink from. As if they have found all they could possibly need. They camp out there, pitch their tent, stake their ground, make their home at the well of free grace in Christ and are happy unto eternal life. Because these are his sheep. "They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat. 17 For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes." Revelation 7;16.
Pastor Jesse Gistand
Grace Bible Church
San Leandro, CA 94572
510-799-7934