In my last couple of articles, I have considered the nature of spiritual thirsting. Thirsting is not to be our goal, not the end, but rather the means of reaching the end. Drinking is the goal. Thirsting cannot be the end. Physically we must quench our thirst or die; this is true spiritually as well. It seems to me that the normal or ideal Christian life is one of being satisfied, at rest in the Lord, drinking in Christ. Intensity of thirst is not a proper measurement of spirituality. Unquenched thirst is not a measure of spirituality. A quenched thirst, satisfaction in the Lord, is a much better measure of spirituality. Thirsting after God is choosing; it is choosing God. Drinking is the result of choosing, what you do after choosing. Drinking is appropriating the promises of God, applying the promises of God, realizing that you already have what you long for. The Christian life is a thirst that is satisfied, a thirst that is continually being quenched.
If we feel less than satisfied, if we have a thirst that is not being quenched, we need to find out what is damming up the rivers of living water promised in John 4, John 6, John 7, Revelation 7, Revelation 21, and Revelation 22. I think God did not want us to miss that truth. It seems to me that a lack of faith is always what dams up the river of living water that God has directed our way. I certainly do not speak of some name-it, claim-it, way to financial prosperity. Rather, I speak of a simple taking God at His Word, believing His promises. Many people think only of God’s direct promises, but I am thinking of God’s commands. Every command of God is also a promise. If you are a believer, you have already received Christ; you have already received the Holy Spirit. You already have the power and ability to obey every command that God has written in His Word. God has not commanded anything He has not also enabled you to obey. We already have everything we need to be completely obedient to God, to be conformed to the image of Christ. We have been given the courage, the strength, the power, the ability, the motivation, etc. We only need our eyes to be opened so we can see it.
The Bible tells us to be perfect as God is perfect, to be holy as God is holy, to love our neighbors as ourselves, to love our wives as Christ loved the church, to forgive as God forgives, to submit even to evil and wicked rulers, etc. and etc. Do we really believe we have the power to obey those commands or do we believe God has ordered us to do something we cannot do? Intellectually, I believe God has enabled me and empowered me to obey every command He has ever given. Is this real in my heart? Is this the way I live? Sometimes. This is one of the great purposes of the Word of God: to make us holy as He is holy, conforming us to the image of Christ. However it is not the great purpose of His Word. It is not primarily to lead us to holiness but rather to Christ Himself. Paul explains the Wilderness thirsting and drinking of the Children of Israel described in the Old Testament. 1 Corinthians 10:4-5 says, “and all drank the same spiritual drink, for they were drinking from a spiritual rock which followed them; and the rock was Christ.” NASU The goal of Bible study, the goal of thirsting, the goal of thirsting, must never be knowledge or character or accomplishment; the goal must always be Christ: enjoying Him, having our thirst quenched in Him, drinking Him in. He is a wonderful Savior.