September
10, 2003
SERVING
OTHERS
"He
who waters will also be watered himself" (Proverbs 11:25,
NKJV).
Jesus
presents to those who are thirsty the water of life that they
may drink freely. "Whoever drinks
of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But
the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain
of water springing up into everlasting life" (John
4:14). "If anyone thirsts, let
him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture
has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water."
But this He spoke concerning the Spirit whom those believing
in Him would receive" (John 7:37-39).
"No
sooner does one come to Christ, than there is born in his
heart a desire to make known to others what a precious friend
he has found in Jesus; the saving and sanctifying truth cannot
be shut up in his heart. If we are clothed with the righteousness
of Christ, and are filled with the joy of His indwelling Spirit,
we shall not be able to hold our peace. If we have tasted
and seen that the Lord is good, we shall have something to
tell... And the effort to bless others will react in blessings
upon ourselves. This was the purpose of God in giving us a
part to act in the plan of redemption...
"If
you will go to work as Christ designs that His disciples shall,
and win souls for Him, you will feel the need of a deeper
experience and a greater knowledge in divine things, and will
hunger and thirst after righteousness. --Plead with God, and
your faith will be strengthened and your soul will drink deeper
drafts at the well of salvation. Encountering opposition and
trials will drive you to the Bible and prayer. You will grow
in grace and the knowledge of Christ, and will develop a rich
experience.
"The
spirit of unselfish labor for others gives depth, stability,
and Christlike loveliness to the character, and brings peace
and happiness to its possessor. The aspirations are elevated.
There is no room for sloth or selfishness. Those who exercise
the Christian graces will grow, and will become strong to
work for God. They will have clear spiritual perceptions,
a steady, growing faith, and an increased power in prayer.
The Spirit of God, moving upon their spirit, calls forth the
sacred harmonies of the soul, in answer to the divine touch...
The only way to grow in grace is... to engage, to the extent
of our ability, in helping and blessing those who need the
- [water of life] we can give them"--"God's
Amazing Grace" p. 305.
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