.
In 1John 5:8, the Spirit and the water appear to be two distinctly different
things; whereas in John 7:37-39 they appear to be one and the same.
It's my guess that the Spirit is the source of the water and that's why they
are tied together in John 7:37-39.
But still: what is this water dispensed by the Spirit?
Well; first off we have to accept that it's not water for bathing, nor laundry,
nor baptizing, nor irrigation. It's strictly for drinking, i.e. a beverage.
And it's not a natural kind of water because if it was, you could go and dip it
out of a river or a pond or lake which of course would be futile because
according to John 4:13 you'd just have to go and do it again 'cause nobody
can get by with just one helping of natural water. You've got drink more later
on or risk death from dehydration
The water is neither collected nor transported in a container; the woman at
the well saw that right away.
So then, we should settle it that the water Jesus spoke of is supernatural,
plus; it's so effective that folk need only one helping of it.
I propose that the water is life; and not just ordinary life, but eternal life. I
also propose paraphrasing John 3:5 like this:
"I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born
of eternal life and the Spirit."
Now I realize that is an unacceptable paraphrase for sincere folk who
honestly believe the water in that passage should be construed to mean
ritual baptism. Well; I'm just proposing, not insisting; but at the same time
feel compelled to point out that of the four gospels; John's is where eternal
life is emphasized the most; it's a recurring theme.
How crucial is the possession and/or the non possession of eternal life? Well
according to 1John 5:11-12, people lacking eternal life are also lacking God's
son, i.e. they are quite christless; which can't be a good thing.
_
In 1John 5:8, the Spirit and the water appear to be two distinctly different
things; whereas in John 7:37-39 they appear to be one and the same.
It's my guess that the Spirit is the source of the water and that's why they
are tied together in John 7:37-39.
But still: what is this water dispensed by the Spirit?
Well; first off we have to accept that it's not water for bathing, nor laundry,
nor baptizing, nor irrigation. It's strictly for drinking, i.e. a beverage.
And it's not a natural kind of water because if it was, you could go and dip it
out of a river or a pond or lake which of course would be futile because
according to John 4:13 you'd just have to go and do it again 'cause nobody
can get by with just one helping of natural water. You've got drink more later
on or risk death from dehydration
The water is neither collected nor transported in a container; the woman at
the well saw that right away.
So then, we should settle it that the water Jesus spoke of is supernatural,
plus; it's so effective that folk need only one helping of it.
I propose that the water is life; and not just ordinary life, but eternal life. I
also propose paraphrasing John 3:5 like this:
"I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born
of eternal life and the Spirit."
Now I realize that is an unacceptable paraphrase for sincere folk who
honestly believe the water in that passage should be construed to mean
ritual baptism. Well; I'm just proposing, not insisting; but at the same time
feel compelled to point out that of the four gospels; John's is where eternal
life is emphasized the most; it's a recurring theme.
How crucial is the possession and/or the non possession of eternal life? Well
according to 1John 5:11-12, people lacking eternal life are also lacking God's
son, i.e. they are quite christless; which can't be a good thing.
_