“…but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” John 4.14
A spring is a place of refreshment and relief, especially in hot, arid climates. Springs usually are the source of abundance and supply a life-giving commodity to those in need.
Source of Life
Water is one of two items necessary to sustain life. It can become contaminated by seen (garbage) and unseen (toxic seepage) agents. When water becomes contaminated, it has the potential to bring death instead of life.
Jesus promised life-giving water of the purest kind to His followers. He also promised that those who drink His water would become springs, a source, of such water for others in need. When we become followers of Jesus, we not only receive His water, but receive it in abundance. Jesus doesn’t give it to us in such abundance so we can horde it for a day of need. Rather, He gives it to us so we can give it to others. In that way, they too, can experience refreshment and relief from the hot, arid climate of a dark and lost world.
Contaminants
When we hold onto things such as bitterness, jealously, and envy or engage in sinful behavior such as pornography and illicit sexual relationship, we open the door to contaminates in our wells. When that happens, what is meant to be our life-giving water becomes useless to others.
Pure Springs
The surest means of keeping our springs pure and uncontaminated comes by taking Paul’s admonishment in Philippians 4.8 to heart.
“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”
Only by guarding the spring of life with which Jesus fills us can we offer hope to a world in need.