Monday, October 11, 2010

Gimme, Gimme, Gimme

If you ever spend much time around children you likely have heard a case of the Gimmes.  Kids often look out for their own interests, they desire to have what someone else has and if they don't get what they want, well watch out!

As I was reading this passage in John (4:7-15) I was amazed at the similarities the Samaritan woman shares with many Christians.  In this account, Jesus is sitting at the well and here comes this woman and He asks her to draw some for Him to drink.  When she hesitates and questions Him, Jesus responds by offering her 'Living water'.  Her response, "Sir, give me (Gimme, gimme) this water, so I will not be thirsty nor come all the way here to draw." (vs. 15)

This is the same response many Christians have when offered salvation.  Gimme, gimme, so I'll be saved from hell.  Gimme, gimme, so I'll live a blessed life.  Gimme, gimme, so I can live like I want but still go to heaven.  Gimme, gimme, gimme.

We tend to miss the whole point.  Verse 10 offers us the key to this passage, "If you knew the gift of God… you would have asked Him and He would have given you living water."  In the previous chapter of John we reviewed what is likely the best known verse in Scripture, John 3:16 "God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life."  (emphasis mine).

We don't need to have a case of the 'Gimmes', God already gave.  And it is in that gift that we find life.  Our response then should be one of gratitude and love toward the Savior and the source of living water.  Instead of looking for ways to exploit the gift, we should marvel in the fact we don't deserve it at all.  This is God's grace and mercy poured out on fallen men and women.  This is God's love in action.

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