Author

Rev. Dr. Joshua HONG

The Senior Pastor of Full Gospel Church of Honolulu

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Web(English): http://ENG.REVHONG.COM
Web(Korean): http://REVHONG.COM
Email: yhong0122@gmail.com
Facebook: https://facebook.com/revhong

A Series of Columns to help you grow your spiritual insight

Your word is a lamp to my feet

and a light for my path
(Psalms 119:105).

A Series of Columns to help you grow your spiritual insight

Jesus is the Living Water

Rev. Dr. Joshua Young Gi HONG

Water is the source of life. There are many reasons why we should not see water as mere liquid. Water circulates
in the body to maintain blood pressure and other essential physical functions such as transportation of nutrients
to cells and excretion of waste and toxins. In addition, water helps regulate the body temperature, delivers oxygen
to the lungs, impedes the skins aging process, and increases immunity. While it is possible to go without food
for 2-3 weeks, it becomes extremely difficult to go without water for 4 days. It is for these reasons that even 3%
deficiency in water causes irregular heartbeat and breathing and 10% deficiency in water can cause death. Water
is essential to good health.
As the body needs water, the soul needs water too: the spiritual, living water. The Bible tells us that Jesus Christ is
our living water. Jesus said to the Samaritan woman who lived for many years in spiritual thirst, whoever drinks
the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life (John 4:14; John 7:37-38). It is a grievous sin to reject Jesus Christ, our living water and
source of eternal life (Jeremiah 2:13; 17:13). The absence of Christ is synonymous with hell. The most notable
characteristic of hell is that there is no water in it. Thus, people there are said to experience enormous thirst as
if they were in the desert. This is Gods judgment against those who satisfied their spiritual thirst with physical
pleasure. In hell, there is no river or lake. Instead, there are tree stumps and toxins.
The 47th chapter of Ezekiel records the vision in which Gods living water flows from under neath the temple.
As Ezekiel moved forward to the temple measuring 1,000cubits(1/3mile) each time, the water reached his ankle,
knees, waist, and chest and later formed a river (Ezekiel47:3-5). This symbolizes the grace of God manifested
through the salvific work of Jesus Christ(Zechariah 14:8). This signifies that the faithful must go deeper into the
river of grace through Christ.
Some Christians stop when the water reaches their feet. Of course, they are in the grace but they can run away to
the world anytime. Some stop when the water reaches their knees. It becomes more difficult to move the feet and
there arise both physical and spiritual desires. If they kneel down and pray at this stage, they can receive abundant
grace and blessings. Some stop when the water comes up to their waist. They are half way into the water and
moved to tears through praise and prayers. In spite of their deeper spirituality, they are not fully immersed in the
water. Lastly, there are those believers who are completely immersed in the water. At this stage, all their words,
thoughts, and deeds are fully controlled by God. We must proceed deeper into the river of grace.
The water from underneath the temple heals the foul water of the Dead Sea and causes trees to bear fruit (Ezekiel
47: 9-12). Where this water flows everything lives. This is a sober reminder that the river of grace given us by
God is to reach throughout dying souls and the corrupt world. Christian spirituality is not a solitary but collective pursuit. The river of grace must flow to others through us. Those who have tasted the living water of Christ
never thirst. May all of you draw near to Christ, our fountain of life, and bear abundant fruit of eternal life and
blessings.

http://ENG.REVHONG.COM

Blessing till death is the sacred calling of all believers.

A Series of Columns to help you grow your spiritual insight