I am a Flood

The above image seems to show a massive stream of fire issuing in a continuous flow from an open pipe.  That image is the nearest thing I could find wherewith to illustrate the following passage of Scripture:

  "He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.  But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive..."  John 7:38-9a

With regard to the following essay, I intend that the open pipe in the above image represents the "belly" (or the 'innermost being') of a Christian, and that the voluminous stream of fire represents the outflowing "rivers of living water": that is to say, the incessant outflowing of GOD'S SPIRIT MANIFESTING GOD'S WILL.

Like most Christians, I suppose, I used to think that "doing God's will" entailed whatever words and/or deeds which I did as acts of obedience to God.  God is the Master whose commandments I am obliged, as his servant, to obey.  Thus the commanding belongs to God; whereas, the doing of God's commands belongs to me.  Simple enough.  And to that extent it is all true.  Nevertheless, God has shown me something much higher with respect to the idea -- not so much concerning my "doing" God's will but, rather, concerning my YIELDING to God's Spirit in such a way and to such extent that He can MANIFEST HIS OWN WILL THROUGH ME.

The difference, I perceive, is infinitely great and important.

Jesus said that he did not come to earth to do his own will but, instead, to do the will of God.  Everywhere and at all times during Christ's ministry, we see God's will manifested through Christ's life: whether in teaching, or in soul-winning, or in miracle-working, or in casting out demons, or in healing, or in rebuking and warning.  We are instructed to see Christ's ministry as the model of God's Spirit flowing out of the life of a human being:

"He that saith he abideth in [Christ] ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.  1 John 2:6

But is it really possible to attain to such a high place in God?  Can anyone actually walk as Jesus walked?  Indeed, it is not only possible, but it is God's express command (as appears in the foregoing verse of Scripture).  Yet, it is only possible to the extent that one has diligently obeyed the injunction given in Romans 12:1-2:

"I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.    And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove [give forth in demonstration] what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God."

God wants my life (and yours) to be a LIVING DEMONSTRATION OF GOD'S WILL.

It is not, then, that God wants merely for me to obey Him.  But the obedience God seeks from me entails my TOTAL SUBMISSION to the Holy Ghost, to the end that He may fill me and so use me in whatever measure and for whatever purpose He wills.

Let's examine the Scriptures, in order to see what "total submission to the Holy Ghost" looks like in application.  In Acts chapter 5, we are told how Peter and certain others responded when they suffered severe persecution because of their bold witness of Christ:

"Then came one and told them, saying, Behold, the men whom ye put in prison are standing in the temple, and teaching the people.  Then went the captain with the officers....  And when they had brought them, they set them before the council: and the high priest asked them,    Saying, Did not we straitly command you that ye should not teach in this name? and, behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man's blood upon us.    Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.    The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on a tree.    Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.    And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him.    When they heard that, they were cut to the heart, and took counsel to slay them....  And when they had called the apostles, and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.    And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name.    And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ."  Acts 5:25-42

Rivers! Rivers (plural) of living water, Jesus said.  Not a creek, nor a stream; and, certainly not (as is the case with the vast majority of professing Christians,) a little trickle or just a few drops every now and then!  But RIVERS of "living water," according to Jesus, should "flow" out from -- me.

That same Peter who defied the magistrates which forbade him to speak to the people about Jesus, we also see, in that same place in Scripture, the effects of his "total submission to the Holy Ghost":

"Insomuch that they brought forth the sick into the streets, and laid them on beds and couches, that at the least the shadow of Peter passing by might overshadow some of them.  There came also a multitude out of the cities round about unto Jerusalem, bringing sick folks, and them which were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed every one."  Acts 5:15-6

God wants to reveal Himself to this generation.  And He wants something more than for me and you to content ourselves with the hope that we are pleasing God by our own words and deeds.  But God wants clean, yielded vessels through whom GOD can speak, and through whom GOD can act: yea, vessels through whom GOD can flow out in TORRENTS of power and truth and love!

Do you believe it?  Search the Scriptures, and see for yourself that it is so.  And, then, believe that God will do it -- if you will let Him have you.