The Life of God in every believer in Jesus Christ is a gushing river. It is not stagnant. Going to a weekly church service and only receiving does not keep the river moving. The Living Water we receive must be flowing through us, otherwise it will grow stale.
It comes out or flows through us in our fellowship with one another. In the way we serve one another, share our resources with one another, and speak Christ to one another. If our conversation remains on the surface and doesn’t include the wonderful things Jesus Christ is doing in our lives, we may not experience the Spirit of Christ flowing through us. We won’t experience the fellowship of the Holy Spirit.
Yesterday I had lunch with friends. I anticipated that the Lord may make an opening to speak of Him. And one of the ladies arrived late, mentioning that she had gone to church. I did not seize the opening that (from where I sit now) I see. I could have asked, “What did you learn?” or “What did you receive that you can share with us?” (I am so shy. Maybe next time?) I even had practiced in the car speaking the gospel I could have shared if she had no response: Jesus Christ existed in eternity as God; All things were made by Him; He gave up his divine attributes to become human in order to die the death we deserved because of sin; He rose from the dead on the 3rd day as a Life-giving Spirit; And everyone who believes in Jesus can receive Him in their Spirit – in fact, if they believe in Him they have received Him. And He will never leave them or forsake them. We grow to know Him more and more throughout our life personally and especially with other believers as we speak of Him.
“Going to church” can actually hijack God’s intention for us, making us think we have done what God requires of us. If we are never challenged to put our belief into words to express to one another, we miss out on a priceless opportunity to grow in our faith. It is a wonderful gift from God to find other believers willing to engage in conversation about Jesus Christ.
This is how the Living Water stays fresh and never grows stagnant.