Friday, July 06, 2012
“Fountain of Life” Uncovered
For
centuries people have been seeking the “fountain of youth”. At one time the explorer Juan Ponce de León thought it to be located somewhere in what is now
Florida. He searched diligently to no
avail. Today many seek youth through
implants, injections, operations, diets and exercise. But, alas, it is too allusive and we all grow
old and die.
Could
it be that we are exploring for the wrong fountain? Or maybe that fountain is smack dab in front
of us, but we fail to recognize it’s immense value. I’m not sure if you’ve noticed, but the Bible
doesn’t encourage us to seek youth;
it recommends that we seek life. Jesus promised new life, abundant life and
everlasting life. (John 3:5, 10:10 & 6:47)
Everlasting
life is a gift to all who are born again. St. Peter explains how to be born
again in Acts 2:38. He explains that believers can be filled with God’s Spirit.
In that way, God, himself, empowers them to live an abundant life. This New Birth also insures that when a
believer dies they will enjoy eternal life in a place where there is no more
sorrow or pain.
Great
living, however is not relegated to a New Birth experience or a future heavenly
existence. According to the Bible “The
instruction of the wise is like a life-giving fountain; those who accept it
avoid the snares of death.” (Proverbs 13:14 NLT) In other words, the good life is available to
anyone who is humble enough to accept wise instruction. Time and experience has proven to multiplied
millions that the wisest instruction comes from the Bible. That is why “the Bible is the best-selling book every year.
If sales of the Bible were included in best-seller lists, it would be a rare
week when anything else would achieve a look in. It is wonderful, weird ...
that in this godless age... this one book should go on selling, every
month."
(British TIMES newspaper,1996) It keeps
selling because people keep discovering that it is a life-giving fountain.
The
Bible is packed full of great advice. Nuggets
like the 10 commandments and the Sermon on the Mount, if heeded, will be a
fountain of life. Some of it may be a little hard to take, much like good
medicine or the chiding of a coach. As a
result, many of us pass by the life-giving fountain without ever enjoying its
benefits. The truth remains: “if you
ignore criticism, you will end in poverty and disgrace; if you accept
correction, you will be honored.” (Proverbs 13:18 NLT)
You
don’t need to stretch your face or tuck your tummy or stand on your head for
hours in an attempt to hold on to your youth.
You can simply drink at the fountain of life – God’s Word. If you obey it, you will have something much
better than eternal youth – you will have abundant life on earth and eternal
life when you die. It would only take a
few evenings to test this theory by reading a few New Testament books like
Luke, John, Acts and Romans. That would
be less effort than a new diet or exercise program. Try it and see if it doesn’t change your life
for the better. Uncover the fountain of life.
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