07 The Savior's Benevolence

The Savior’s Benevolence

"If you knew the gift of God, and who it is that says to you, ’Give me a drink’ — you would have asked of him, and he would have given you living water!" John 4:10 The Lord Jesus was now weary with his journey, and he sat down to rest beside Jacob’s well; a woman of Samaria came to draw water, and being thirsty, he asked her for a drink. But the Jews and Samaritans being at variance, she refused him, when he at once told her that if she had really known him — she would have asked him to give her "living water," and he would not have refused her. Figurative language was very common in the east, and Jesus uses a figure here; but it is a figure which is easily understood by those who compare one part of the scripture with another. The blessing which Jesus had to bestow, he calls, "living water;" by which is to be understood, the Holy Spirit. Hence he says upon another occasion, "If any man thirsts, let him come unto me, and drink. He who believes on me, as the scripture has said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. But this spoke he of the Spirit, which those who believe on him would receive." John 7:37-39. As sinners, the two principal things which we need, are an atonement to expiate our sins, and the Holy Spirit to sanctify our natures. The atonement gives us a title to Heaven, and sanctification fits us for it. The atonement was made by Jesus, when he died; and the Holy Spirit is given by him, now that he is in his glory. The Holy Spirit and his influences are here compared to pure spring waters. They purify us from our pollution and defilement which we have contracted by sin, which unfits us for Heaven; and cleanses the heart from pride, prejudice, and lust. They are a source of activity and life within us, producing . . .
holy desires,
earnest longings for God,
faith in his word,
hope in his mercy,
and love to his name.

They refresh and revive us when weary and cast down, giving us comfort and courage to prosecute our journey and go on with our work. They strengthen us with might in the inner man, and make us strong in the Lord. They give holy satisfaction, and make us contented with our lot below. They are permanent, as Jesus said, "Whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him — shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall he in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life." This blessing is the gift of God, it flows from his bounty. It is the effect of his benevolence and liberality. He gives it . . .
freely, without price;
cheerfully, without reluctance;
and readily, to every applicant. This blessing of the Spirit is, after the Savior, the principal blessing. It includes all other good things. It is as necessary for us as sinners, as water is to the weary exhausted traveler in the eastern deserts, who must drink or die. We must receive the Holy Spirit and experience his gracious work in our hearts — or perish forever. As nothing could satisfy the claims of justice on our behalf — but the life, sufferings, and death of Jesus; so nothing can make us fit to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light — but the indwelling, operations, and work of the Holy Spirit. But there are but few who perceive and realize this — and therefore it is not sought.

There are many professors, it is to he feared, who scarcely know anything of the divine person, sacred influences, and saving operations of the Holy Spirit. They have not taken into their minds any scriptural ideas on this subject. They do not feel the importance of a change of heart, they are scarcely aware that their nature needs renewing, and therefore they do not seek this invaluable blessing. They are not impressed with the gracious promises of the Holy Spirit; nor affected with the fact, that God will freely bestow him upon those who sincerely ask him.

They are also to a great extent, unacquainted with Jesus, who has received this blessing, and who confers it upon all those who obey him.

Reader, if you really felt your need of the Holy Spirit; if you knew the gracious character and generous nature of the Lord Jesus; you would ask, and he would give you this living water. This poor woman did not know that God gave his Holy Spirit unto those who ask him. She did not know that this blessing comes to us through his incarnate Son. She did not know that Jesus had the Holy Spirit to confer on whom he would. She did not know how kind, how tender, how forgiving, how generous he was. Therefore she did not at first ask him for the blessing; but as soon as she did know — she asked, and she received it.

Now, if up to the present moment you have been ignorant of these things — this little book informs you of them; you are now just in the situation of this woman, when Jesus had unfolded the truth to her mind. Will you, like her, apply at once for this invaluable blessing?

Jesus is ready to bestow the blessing. He was willing, he was waiting to confer it upon this woman — though she refused him a drop of water from her pitcher. He is equally willing, he is waiting to bestow it on you. He received the promised Spirit from the Father, on purpose that he might give it unto those who ask him. He came into the world that he might remove every impediment out of the way of our receiving it. He went back to Heaven pledged to give it, and he reigns at the Father’s right hand to bestow it. If you only perceive and feel your true state and condition as a sinner in the sight of God; you will soon perceive, and feel your need of the Holy Spirit; and if you in addition to this, learn the true character of the Lord Jesus — you will soon ask, and he will as soon give you the "living water."

Dear reader, if you are in an unconverted state, this is the first and principle thing that you need. It is the one thing necessary for you. Without the Holy Spirit, you will never have right views . . .
of sin,
of yourself,
of the holy law,
of the glorious gospel,
or of our gracious God.

Without the Holy Spirit, you will never . . .
repent of sin,
believe in Jesus,
love God,
enjoy salvation, or
perform any good works.

Without the Holy Spirit, you will . . .
live in ignorance,
die in sin, and
perish forever.

You can find no substitute for the Spirit. He is essentially necessary. The sufferings and death of Christ, were not more necessary for your pardon and justification; than is the Holy Spirit for your conversion and sanctification! O that you were thoroughly convinced of this! If you were, you would never rest, you would never cease calling upon God, until the Spirit was poured upon you from on high. The matter is now plainly placed before you. You are informed from God’s word, that you must have this "living water," or perish forever. You are assured, that no substitute for the Holy Spirit can be found. That Jesus has the Holy Spirit to bestow. That he is willing to bestow it on you. That he will have you pray for it. That if you do not seek it — it is because you have false views of your own character and condition; and in refusing to seek it, you . . .
despise God’s mercy,
reject his word of invitation and warning,
and pour contempt upon the benevolence and love of the Savior.

Reader, are you a believer in the Lord Jesus? You need more of this living water. You need the Spirit to dwell in you more fully, and to exert his power more effectually over all your faculties. You are not full of the Holy Spirit. You have received him in measure — but there is much more to be obtained. See then what you should do. Go to Jesus thirsting for this blessing. Go as if you really needed and desired the blessing. Go as for a favor. Go as if you were going for what he loves to bestow. Go as if you could not do do without it. Go as if you did not intend to be put off with anything else. Let not Satan divert your mind from it. Let not the world draw you aside. Let not your deceitful heart mislead you. If you really know the bounty of God, the value of this precious gift, the generous nature and gracious disposition of the Lord Jesus — then you will ask, and he will give you more of this living water. Ask therefore and receive, that your joy may be full.