Romans 8:12-17
The flesh v. spirit battle is real and difficult, but if we can live in this promise, we have all that we need: “The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.” (Romans 8:16-17). This is our identity. It is not what we do, have done, will do, or even who we are - it’s WHOSE we are and who Jesus says we are! This is the answer. HE is the answer. In HIM is the answer.
Being a mom has taught me so much so far. Mostly, it has revealed my flaws. My kids see me - the real me. Oh, how ugly I can be. And it is this ugliness revealed that makes the living water and Jesus’ brutal death and resurrection all the more beautiful. I need it! I have to have it. I will literally die without it. Sin leads to death and destruction (Romans 6:16). This water, this living water that we thirst for, leads to life.
So I must die to live? Yes! Because every natural, sinful, innate fiber of my being is drenched in sin. This sinful nature came with the gift of free will and the fall of man. Not only do I need this water to live, I need it to wash me clean and purify me (1 John 1:9). I need it to refresh me (Acts 3:19). I need it to baptize me (1 Peter 3:21). I need it to remind me of His unfailing love (Psalm 13:5). I need it to restore me (1 Peter 5:10). I need it to encourage me (Romans 15:4). I need it so that I can share Jesus with others (Matthew 28:18-20).
This living water is real and it will never leave us thirsty again! Jesus shares this gift with the woman at the well and he offers it to ALL of us. Will we open our hands to receive it?
“Jesus said to her, ‘Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.’ The woman said to him, ‘Sir, give me this water, so that I will not be thirsty or have to come here to draw water.’” (John 4:13-15)
In Him,
Katie Karlson
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