Rivers of Life: John 7:37-39
“37) Now on the last day, the great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink. 38) He who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, ‘From his innermost being will flow rivers of living water.’ ” 39) But this He spoke of the Spirit, whom those who believed in Him were to receive; for the Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.” John 7:37-39
Jesus was speaking of the blessing that would follow His work on the cross and the giving of the Holy Spirit to those who believe. Their innermost being would come alive. The Holy Spirit would become an unquenchable source of living water gushing out through the spirit of believers. It would not end or run dry, because God Himself is the source. This was the promise of Zoe life available to believers.
Isaiah 58:11 talked about this blessing; “And the Lord will continually guide you, And satisfy your desire in scorched places, And give strength to your bones; And you will be like a watered garden, And like a spring of water whose waters do not fail.” In the context it looks like a benefit of fasting, but Jesus tied it to the coming ministry of the Holy Spirit.
So why does it never end or dry up? The answer might go back to Ephesians 3:16-19. The Spirit filled believer not only has Christ dwelling in their heart through faith, but they are also overflowing with the Holy Spirit. Verse 19 says we can be “filled up to all the fulness of God.” That is a source that cannot dry up or run empty!
Let me make a connection to John 1:4. At the time of the beginning, the Word was with God as the Creator. John 1:4 boldly proclaims; “In Him was life, and the life was the light of men.” Would you like to venture a guess what the Greek word for “life” is in this verse? That’s right, it’s “Zoe” life. He is the source of all life. There is no death in Him.
This Spirit of life is placed in the believer at the moment of salvation. The potential is unfathomable, if you do not quench or grieve the Holy Spirit. The human flash and soul have nothing by comparison. In fact, we shall see that the law of sin and of death rules in the flesh and soul. (Romans
Back in the 1960’s and 70’s, there was a popular Christian chorus that many believers would mindlessly sing. I am beginning to realize the lyrics are profound and biblically true. It is much more accurate than the writings of many modern theologians. Let me include the lyrics to “River of Life” in this section.
I’VE GOT A RIVER OF LIFE FLOWING OUT OF ME; IT MAKES THE LAME TO WALK AND THE BLIND TO SEE. IT OPENS PRISON DOORS, SETS THE CAPTIVES FREE. I’VE GOT A RIVER OF LIFE FLOWING OUT OF ME.
SPRING UP, O WELL, WITHIN MY SOUL! SPRING UP, O WELL, AND MAKE ME WHOLE! SPRING UP, O WELL, AND GIVE TO ME THAT LIFE ABUNDANTLY.
I’VE GOT A RIVER OF LIFE FLOWING WITHIN ME; IT STARTED GUSHING UP WHEN GOD SET ME FREE. THAT I KEEP THE FLOW IS MY ONLY PLEA. I’VE GOT A RIVER OF LIFE FLOWING OUT OF ME.
ONCE I CALL HIS NAME THERE’S A FLOW WITHIN; IT TURNS ME FROM MY DAY, MAKES HIM LORD AGAIN. AS MY SPIRIT BURNS, SATAN CANNOT WIN. CALLING, “OH LORD JESUS,” KEEPS THE FLOW WITHIN.
This is biblical. The only correction is that Jesus did not say “river”; He said “rivers!” The believer has access to many “rivers of life.” For example, Psalm 1:2-3 pictures Gods Word as a river. Jesus is living water. The Holy Spirit is a River of life. Praise and worship are a source of life. Faith imparts life. Edifying words can impart grace. I think you get the idea.
This needs to become our theology, belief system and experience. This is what Jesus promised and what Paul taught the early Christians. God wants every believer to walk in the spirit/Spirit and not the flesh or soul. We are going to look at Scripture after Scripture related to this subject until you see its truth, have faith in its promise and start living in its reality.
If your Christian life is dead and boring, it’s because you have flesh and soul based religion! You know nothing about the Spirit and power of God! You are drifting along with the apostate church and have put God in the box of naturalism! (See 2 Timothy3:5; 1 Corinthians 4:19-20) I admonish you too let the truth of Gods Word set you free.
Daily Bible Commentary By Terry Baxter: Cofounder of GoServ Global
“37) Now on the last day, the great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink. 38) He who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, ‘From his innermost being will flow rivers of living water.’ ” 39) But this He spoke of the Spirit, whom those who believed in Him were to receive; for the Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.” John 7:37-39
Jesus was speaking of the blessing that would follow His work on the cross and the giving of the Holy Spirit to those who believe. Their innermost being would come alive. The Holy Spirit would become an unquenchable source of living water gushing out through the spirit of believers. It would not end or run dry, because God Himself is the source. This was the promise of Zoe life available to believers.
Isaiah 58:11 talked about this blessing; “And the Lord will continually guide you, And satisfy your desire in scorched places, And give strength to your bones; And you will be like a watered garden, And like a spring of water whose waters do not fail.” In the context it looks like a benefit of fasting, but Jesus tied it to the coming ministry of the Holy Spirit.
So why does it never end or dry up? The answer might go back to Ephesians 3:16-19. The Spirit filled believer not only has Christ dwelling in their heart through faith, but they are also overflowing with the Holy Spirit. Verse 19 says we can be “filled up to all the fulness of God.” That is a source that cannot dry up or run empty!
Let me make a connection to John 1:4. At the time of the beginning, the Word was with God as the Creator. John 1:4 boldly proclaims; “In Him was life, and the life was the light of men.” Would you like to venture a guess what the Greek word for “life” is in this verse? That’s right, it’s “Zoe” life. He is the source of all life. There is no death in Him.
This Spirit of life is placed in the believer at the moment of salvation. The potential is unfathomable, if you do not quench or grieve the Holy Spirit. The human flash and soul have nothing by comparison. In fact, we shall see that the law of sin and of death rules in the flesh and soul. (Romans
Back in the 1960’s and 70’s, there was a popular Christian chorus that many believers would mindlessly sing. I am beginning to realize the lyrics are profound and biblically true. It is much more accurate than the writings of many modern theologians. Let me include the lyrics to “River of Life” in this section.
I’VE GOT A RIVER OF LIFE FLOWING OUT OF ME; IT MAKES THE LAME TO WALK AND THE BLIND TO SEE. IT OPENS PRISON DOORS, SETS THE CAPTIVES FREE. I’VE GOT A RIVER OF LIFE FLOWING OUT OF ME.
SPRING UP, O WELL, WITHIN MY SOUL! SPRING UP, O WELL, AND MAKE ME WHOLE! SPRING UP, O WELL, AND GIVE TO ME THAT LIFE ABUNDANTLY.
I’VE GOT A RIVER OF LIFE FLOWING WITHIN ME; IT STARTED GUSHING UP WHEN GOD SET ME FREE. THAT I KEEP THE FLOW IS MY ONLY PLEA. I’VE GOT A RIVER OF LIFE FLOWING OUT OF ME.
ONCE I CALL HIS NAME THERE’S A FLOW WITHIN; IT TURNS ME FROM MY DAY, MAKES HIM LORD AGAIN. AS MY SPIRIT BURNS, SATAN CANNOT WIN. CALLING, “OH LORD JESUS,” KEEPS THE FLOW WITHIN.
This is biblical. The only correction is that Jesus did not say “river”; He said “rivers!” The believer has access to many “rivers of life.” For example, Psalm 1:2-3 pictures Gods Word as a river. Jesus is living water. The Holy Spirit is a River of life. Praise and worship are a source of life. Faith imparts life. Edifying words can impart grace. I think you get the idea.
This needs to become our theology, belief system and experience. This is what Jesus promised and what Paul taught the early Christians. God wants every believer to walk in the spirit/Spirit and not the flesh or soul. We are going to look at Scripture after Scripture related to this subject until you see its truth, have faith in its promise and start living in its reality.
If your Christian life is dead and boring, it’s because you have flesh and soul based religion! You know nothing about the Spirit and power of God! You are drifting along with the apostate church and have put God in the box of naturalism! (See 2 Timothy3:5; 1 Corinthians 4:19-20) I admonish you too let the truth of Gods Word set you free.
Daily Bible Commentary By Terry Baxter: Cofounder of GoServ Global
