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Water as a Symbol of Cleansing

Water holds a profound symbolic significance throughout the Scriptures, representing both physical and spiritual purification. From Genesis to Revelation, water epitomizes God’s cleansing work. In the Genesis account, the floodwaters purge the earth of its rampant corruption (Genesis 6-9). In the New Testament, water is employed symbolically in various contexts, such as when Jesus speaks to Nicodemus about being “born of water and the Spirit” (John 3:5).

Water often illustrates how God purifies and renews His people. The story of Noah's Ark, where God uses a great flood to wash away the wickedness of the earth and initiate a fresh beginning, is a prime example. Likewise, in the New Testament, water symbolizes the Holy Spirit's role in granting new life and cleansing from sin.

Jesus: The Living Water

One of Jesus’ most profound statements about water occurs in His conversation with the Samaritan woman at the well. He declares, “Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life” (John 4:13-14). Here, Jesus presents Himself as the source of “living water,” offering eternal satisfaction and life.

Jesus uses water as a metaphor to elucidate that just as physical water quenches physical thirst, He, as the Living Water, satisfies our spiritual thirst. Believing in Him and embracing His teachings bestows eternal life and a fulfillment that the world cannot provide.

During the Feast of Tabernacles, Jesus stands and proclaims, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water’” (John 7:37-38). This invitation underscores that true spiritual life and refreshment are found through faith in Christ, the Living Water.

Baptism: A Sign and Seal

Baptism, instituted by Christ, is a sacrament that signifies the believer’s union with Christ, regeneration, remission of sins, and commitment to the Lord. Administered with water in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, baptism does not confer grace by the mere act itself, but is a means of grace when received by faith. This distinction highlights that while the outward act of baptism involves water, its efficacy lies in the Holy Spirit's work and the recipient's faith.

In baptism, water symbolizes cleansing from sin and inclusion in God’s covenant family. However, it is not the water itself that accomplishes this cleansing; it is God’s action through the sacrament of baptism that brings about these spiritual realities.

The Covenant of Grace

The covenant of grace is God’s promise to save His people through faith in Jesus Christ. Baptism is seen as a sign of this covenant, marking the individual as a member of the covenant community. Infant baptism, akin to circumcision in the Old Testament, signifies entrance into the covenant community and God’s promise to be a God to us and our children (Genesis 17:7; Acts 2:39).

Baptism signifies inclusion in God's promise to save those who have faith in Jesus. When infants are baptized, it reflects their inclusion in God's family and the commitment to raise them in the faith.

The Role of Faith

While water baptism is an outward and visible sign, salvation is by grace through faith alone (Ephesians 2:8-9). The sacrament of baptism must be accompanied by personal faith. For those baptized as infants, this faith is expected to be professed as they mature within the covenant community. Baptism without faith does not confer salvation; it is faith in Christ’s finished work that justifies and saves.

Simply being baptized is not sufficient for salvation. One must have faith in Jesus. For those baptized as infants, they must grow in their understanding and belief, professing their faith in Jesus for their baptism to have its intended spiritual significance.

Assurance and the Means of Grace

Baptism provides believers with assurance of God’s promises. It is a visible word, a tangible sign that reinforces the gospel message. Along with the preaching of the Word and the Lord’s Supper, baptism is a means of grace, strengthening the believer’s faith and encouraging them in their walk with Christ.

The relationship between water and salvation is viewed through the lens of God’s covenant promises and the means of grace. Water, as used in baptism, is a powerful symbol of cleansing, regeneration, and inclusion in the covenant community. Yet, it is not the water itself that saves, but the grace of God received by faith. This understanding maintains the balance between the outward sign and the inward reality, upholding the centrality of Christ’s redemptive work in the believer’s salvation.

Water as an Act of Kindness

An additional significant aspect of the relationship between water and salvation is found in Jesus' teaching about serving others. In Matthew 25:35-40, Jesus speaks about the final judgment and describes how acts of kindness to others are, in fact, acts of service to Him:

“For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.” Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’”

The Significance of Giving a Cup of Water

Jesus highlights that simple acts of kindness, such as giving a cup of water to someone who is thirsty, are seen by God as significant and meaningful. Serving others in need is, in essence, serving Christ Himself. This teaching emphasizes that our faith should be expressed through love and service to others.

While giving a cup of water may seem like a small gesture, it reflects a heart transformed by God's grace. True faith in Christ leads to loving actions towards others. These acts of kindness are not what save us, but they are evidence of a living faith. James 2:17 states that “faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.” Therefore, the genuine faith that saves us also moves us to serve and love others.

This teaching of Jesus calls believers to live out the gospel in practical ways. By meeting the physical needs of others, we demonstrate the love of Christ to a hurting world. Providing water to the thirsty, feeding the hungry, and caring for the sick are ways we can reflect God's love and compassion.

When we engage in these acts of service, we participate in the mission of Christ, who came “not to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Matthew 20:28). By serving others, we show that we have understood and embraced the gospel message, witnessing to the transformative power of God's grace in our lives.

Encouragement to Believers for Opportunities to Use Water

Believers are encouraged to look for opportunities to serve others, knowing that these acts are valued by God. Even the smallest act, like giving a cup of water, has eternal significance when done in Christ’s name. This perspective helps us to see every act of kindness as a way to honor and serve our Lord. None of these acts add merit to our standing before God, but our actions visibly reinforce that we are His children and desire to glorify Him.

The next time you have a bottle of water and see a person who may be thirsty, do not hesitate to offer it. This simple act of kindness provides an opportunity to share about the living water that satisfies eternally.

~ john