4:14John 4:14

Jesus offered a thirsty stranger at Jacob's well a living water that ends thirst forever, unlike ordinary well water that leaves thirst soon returning.COS 57.7–58.2+3 That water is His own grace and life given in the heart, the Holy Spirit, His truth and Word received within.2SP 140.2–141.3+3 It is drunk by coming to Him, asking and believing with childlike trust, and it must be received continually day by day and not by one draught alone.STB 170.1–2+4 Once received it remains inside as an unfailing well that continually satisfies, renews and sustains, springing up into everlasting life.Lt 3, 1899, par. 34+4 That inward spring cannot stay hidden but flows outward in love, words and service to refresh other perishing souls and lead them to drink.Ms 99, 1902, par. 32+4

Jesus spoke these words to the Samaritan woman at Jacob's well at Sychar near Shechem, sitting to rest while traveling and asking her for a drink, which surprised her because Jews and Samaritans were bitter enemies who avoided social intercourse.COS 57.7–58.2+4 He sat weary, faint from hunger and thirst after a long morning journey under the noontide sun, with cool water near yet inaccessible because the well was deep and He had no rope nor water-jar, waiting in the lot of humanity for someone to come to draw.DA 183.1–3 Though a Jew would not borrow from a Samaritan nor receive bread or water, and though even His disciples would not think to ask a favor of Samaritans or seek to benefit them, He asked her for a drink.DA 183.1–3 He who made the ocean and controls the waters of the great deep and opened the springs and channels of the earth rested from weariness and depended on a stranger's kindness even for a drink of water.DA 183.1–3 The meeting belonged to a dry, rocky, hilly countryside where water was carried in large upright jars along stone paths and terraces.DA 195

His asking rather than offering was tact born of divine love to find the key to her heart, since an offer might have been rejected but trust awakens trust.DA 183.1–3 The King of heaven came to this outcast soul asking a service at her hands.DA 183.1–3 As the Truth He stood beside one thirsting for truth who did not know Him, able to enlighten her, like a living fountain close beside thirsting souls who look far away for refreshing water and will not believe it is near.ST Feb 20, 1912+1 Instead of declaring that He is the only-begotten Son of God, greater than Jacob who gave the well, existing before Abraham, He gave this promise.ST Feb 20, 1912+1

The saying was also spoken with a clear, trumpet-like voice to a weary, thirsty crowd in the temple courts, still calling people whose senses are dull, whose religion is mere form, and who are perishing in ignorance, to feel their real need and to come and drink and receive all that Jesus is willing and ready to do for them.HSFM 243.3–244.2 It was also the good news spoken in a clear, distinct voice from Peter's boat to the multitude pressing down to the water's edge of the Sea of Galilee in the early morning, His precious words more valuable than gold given to those hungering and thirsting for that water and longing for their hearts to be changed from pollution to purity.Lt 329a, 1905, par. 11–14 Received with intense interest, that water changes human nature from darkness to light, dawning as the Light of life upon darkened understanding and enlightening souls like the Sun of righteousness with healing beams.Lt 329a, 1905, par. 11–14

The conversation marks the commencement of Christ's mission work and is one of the many positive invitations of mercy and goodness, spoken with authority, that remove doubt whether God will hear prayer and give mercy, favor, grace and salvation.Ms 173, 1897, par. 20–21 He spoke profound spiritual truth to an individual apart from assembled crowds, showing His important teachings were not reserved for large crowds.GW92 337.2+1 He used her need for ordinary water to open the way to give the water of life, both wanting a cool draught and wanting to give.RH Apr 7, 1904+2 Jesus spoke of it to hearers beside the well Jacob had dug at Shechem, and the meeting is associated with the well of Sychar where she came to draw water and He asked her for a drink.PP 204.1+1

The encounter is an example of seeking people's eternal good and reaching many through one listener, offering her the truths of His spiritual kingdom which awakened her interest and led her to tell others.GW 195.1–3+1 Her natural thirst led her to recognize her spiritual need, and Christ offered to meet it before she asked, and the life-giving words He spoke to her would also bring the water of life to many others.ST Apr 22, 1897 The promise continues to exert influence for the saving of souls through the years since then.MH 28.1

The Samaritan setting shows the gift bringing salvation and enduring spiritual life is offered across social and religious barriers even to people whom the Jews despised.6MR 323.3+2 He set at naught Pharisaic custom and prejudice by accepting their hospitality, sleeping under their roofs, eating at their tables food prepared and served by their hands, teaching in their streets, and treating them with utmost kindness and courtesy, showing by sympathy and social kindliness that He recognized the dignity of humanity and making men long to become worthy of His confidence.2MR 109.1 He opened His richest instruction to the despised woman at Sychar because He saw her receptive heart and mind, giving precious truth through personal teaching without turning away because of a person's low standing or circumstances.ED 231.2–232.1 His welcome of Samaritans showed His grace was not limited by race or nation, breaking down barriers between peoples in His offer of salvation to all mankind, though their knowledge of God did not make the example less important.DA 402.2+1

He found in the Samaritan woman, though a sinner, a heart open to receive truth where He could make a fitting place for His kingdom, even a fitting place for the new wine of His kingdom.13MR 53.2–55.1+1 He is ready to instruct such open hearts directly, revealing to them the Father and the service acceptable to God who reads the heart, using no parables, and declaring Himself to be the Messiah.MH 28.2 The gift is received by believing His word without miracles, as the woman with teachable heart emptied of prejudice believed what He said, rejoiced in the light, and at once published it to her neighbors.Ms 2, 1890, par. 4–5 The hated Samaritans received that light while the Jews rejected Christ despite the power of His majesty, His grace shown in mighty healings, and the mighty outpouring of His Spirit, because prejudice ruled their hearts, proving miracles do no good where prejudice remains.Ms 2, 1890, par. 4–5 Those who have never heard the truth have hearts more susceptible to receive it than those who have been in the truth and had the evidences of God's work yet excuse unbelief.Ms 2, 1890, par. 14

She first took the offer as relief from repeatedly drawing water, supposing He spoke of the water of Jacob's well before them and questioning how He could give living water with nothing to draw with and whether He was greater than Jacob who gave the well.Lt 48, 1897, par. 3–10+1 She looked backward to the fathers and forward to the Messiah's coming while the Hope of the fathers, the Messiah Himself, stood beside her unknown, showing that many thirsting souls today stand close by the living fountain yet look far away for the wellsprings of life, when Christ is nigh to be asked, confessed with the mouth, and believed in the heart unto salvation.DA 184.1–3 The promise astonished her so that she set down her pitcher and forgot the stranger's thirst and her own errand to the well, lost in earnest desire to hear every word, asking Him to give her this water so she would not thirst nor come to draw.ST Apr 22, 1897 She left her waterpot and went into the city inviting friends to come see the man who told her all she ever did and asking if He was the Christ, illustrating practical faith that carried light to her countrymen, and many Samaritans believed through His own word, with the Holy Spirit impressing truth on their hearts.MH 28.1+3

A soul hungering and thirsting for truth who drinks, as she did with conscience aroused, satisfies Christ's own hunger and thirst more than eating or drinking, comforting and refreshing Him, strengthening Him for labor and lifting Him above physical need.DA 190.4–191.1 His own hunger, thirst and weariness are satisfied and He rejoices when slumbering consciences are aroused, spiritual perceptions are quickened, and souls drink.ST Feb 20, 1912 He thirsts to give this water to needy souls, even when it has not been asked for, and thirsts for recognition, love and cooperation from those for whom He left heaven as their personal Saviour.ST Feb 20, 1912 Her desire to know the truth and her response show this living water beginning to work in her through the Spirit.Lt 55, 1897, par. 1–8 She represents every person who hears and believes with practical faith, so that receiving the water of life makes a person a missionary and a giver, refreshed and become a source of spiritual life for others.Lt 55, 1897, par. 12–15

At the well Christ was fulfilling the Eden promise that the Seed of the woman would bruise the serpent's head, a work of offering living water He continues until every soul has been tested and tried.ST Apr 22, 1897+1 He has been that fountain of living water ever since the fall of Adam, a living spring and inexhaustible well-spring of truth from which believers may continually draw and give to others without exhausting the abundance that remains, in contrast to earth's cisterns that empty and pools that dry.ST Apr 22, 1897 He pointed one Samaritan alone to the water of life that ends thirst forever, the water coming from Christ Himself as the living Rock, smitten by death so that living streams flow to all who thirst.18MR 89.1–3 Later at the Feast of Tabernacles, including its closing day, the same invitation to come and drink was opened to the whole crowded multitude wearied by outward pomp and unable to find spiritual satisfaction in worldly things, pomp and ceremonies.ST Jun 3, 1886+3 The water ceremony recalling the wilderness rock pointed to Christ, the rock represents Christ, and His words were the water of life.ST Jun 3, 1886+1

The One who gives this water is divine, though He took human nature and experienced human weariness and need.Lt 97, 1895, par. 22–25 He encircles humanity with His human arm while His divine arm grasps the throne of the Infinite, with the threshold of heaven flooded with glory from God's throne so light falls directly on all who seek His help.Ms 144, 1901, par. 13–14 Receiving this water means refusing to live as hopeless mourners marked by care and perplexity, committing the keeping of the soul to Him, putting trust in the naked promise rather than in feeling or in erring mortals, because feelings change with almost every circumstance while the promises of the Eternal are as solid rock.Ms 144, 1901, par. 13–14 Those who drink build upon the sure foundation and rivet their souls to the eternal Rock, the Rock of Ages, until it becomes habitual to remember the Companion everywhere and talk with God continually as Enoch walked with God and recognized the divine Presence, a life possible even in 1901 though the world is no more favorable for perfection of Christian character than in Enoch's day.Ms 144, 1901, par. 13–14

Ordinary well water, including the water of Jacob's well and the well water at Sychar, satisfies only briefly so that thirst returns, while the water Jesus gives is of far greater value, living water that satisfies permanently so the drinker will never thirst again by becoming an inner well springing up into everlasting life, meeting the thirst of the soul which earthly wells can never satisfy and awakening a higher need that nothing else touches.COS 57.7–58.2+4 The promise of never thirsting does not mean one draught alone is sufficient, for the water must be received every day and drunk continually and deeply, sought more deeply each day in fellowship with Jesus and not only in times of need, and those who keep drinking will never thirst.Ms 18, 1895, par. 15–16+4 He is a living spring and inexhaustible well-spring of truth and fountain of living water ever since the fall of Adam, and unlike earth's cisterns that are emptied and pools that become dry, His supply can be drawn from continually without danger of exhaustion however much is drawn and given to others, and abundance remains.ST Feb 20, 1912+2

Unlike temporal gifts, this water comes from a never-failing source, for the knowledge of God and obedience to Him unite fallen people with Christ, the gospel alone provides sufficient nourishment, and its life-giving streams bring rest to the weary, exhausted and burdened soul and spring up into everlasting life.Lt 79, 1897, par. 8–9 Whoever receives it has within a living, growing source that does not depend on created sources but is continually supplied through direct connection with the inexhaustible fountain, becoming an inward continuing source of eternal life that need not be sought elsewhere.Lt 70, 1897, par. 12–16+4 Jesus' gift satisfies the soul and brings continuing spiritual life pictured by a watered garden and an unfailing spring, not like a surface spring that briefly bubbles and dries up, so the Christian can draw from this continual source at any time and never exhaust it, and the theme of redemption rewards continued study.Ms 11, 1894, par. 23–24+4 The living water is an unfailing supply that can be received and drawn from without diminishing it by continued study, and the gift of Christ's life does not diminish, for the person continually draws from God's Word and finds it satisfying.Lt 47, 1894, par. 4–6+3

The water of salvation is full, abundant, and never fails, so those who come will always be supplied, true religion is a continual inexhaustible source of happiness that may be continually drawn from without exhausting its fountain, and faith draws renewed power for ongoing communion and soul-saving work.Ms 36, 1899, par. 5+3 The life Christ gives is an inexhaustible spring refreshing the weary, thirsty and burdened, the gospel does not dry up or leave ruin, and this calls for careful self-guarding and wise limits on responsibilities.Lt 3, 1899, par. 32–33 Christ offers a source of living water and divine power from which every person may drink repeatedly.17MR 198.1 To drink is to receive Christ's spiritual life and truth so he will no longer crave the world's advantages and attractions, for drinking satisfies thirst yet awakens a continuing desire to receive more of Him while worldly riches, honors and pleasures lose their appeal.Lt 5, 1900, par. 10–11+1

The water Jesus gives is divine grace, which He alone bestows, purifying, refreshing and strengthening the soul, including His saving and sanctifying grace springing up to everlasting life and His pardoning love received in the heart, which must be received and which quickens the whole being into the life of the Son of God.2SP 140.2–141.3+4 Whoever is united with Christ has within a living fountain supplying strength and grace for every need, and from it flow righteous words and deeds that refresh others as well as the believer, while love for God and the satisfying hope of heaven spring up in good works leading to eternal life, and those who receive this grace guide others to the living stream.2SP 140.2–141.3+4 The same unfailing water is described in Isaiah 58:11, and as Christ gives it the believer's associates are refreshed by its softening, subduing influence so that His presence cannot remain unrevealed, a life cultivated by continually learning of Jesus and not by vanity or self-exaltation.Ms 6, 1893, par. 3–4

The water is the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Christ within as a well springing up into everlasting life, continually satisfying the thirsty soul and giving an ongoing supply of grace, needed in the heart as water is needed by a thirsty traveler, received by faith and given to all who ask.Ms 165, 1899, par. 36–37+3 It purifies, refreshes and invigorates the soul, unlike water from Jacob's well, and one draught is not enough but the soul must drink continually.Ms 165, 1899, par. 36–37+1 It is the gift of all gifts given with God's beloved Son, bestowed on all who love and serve God to release human nature from bondage of sin and by God's power to renew, restore and raise it, and in giving the Spirit God could give no more and nothing could be added, for by it all needs are supplied.ST Aug 7, 1901 It is the vital presence of God which when appreciated calls forth praise and thanksgiving and becomes an inner source continuing unto everlasting life, and its restoration is the covenant of grace, costly yet free to all who will accept it by faith when faith takes hold, though few appreciate it and an enlarged conception is needed to comprehend its value.ST Aug 7, 1901

It is the Holy Spirit received from God giving a life that measures with the life of God and making believers one with Christ in this present life and in eternal life, part of God's cure for sin and for every sickness of the soul.Lt 200, 1899, par. 7–9+2 It must be drunk every day together with eating the bread of life to fit a person for translation so that life measures with the life of God, while failing to drink leaves a person in the godless position of Sardis.21MR 347.3–348.1+1 The Spirit of Christ produces this inward source, supplies new spiritual life, works the fruits of righteousness, and wells up in love and self-sacrifice, and its vitalizing power must be received daily and continually with fresh converting power.GW 287.1–2+3 Those spiritually united with Christ find continual refreshment in Him with uncertainty and feverish thirst for wealth and honor gone, and the water satisfies the heart and strengthens moral powers as bread sustains physical life.4RED 89.1–2+1

The water is Christ's own life in the soul and Christ Himself as the water of life, the one gift God desires to bestow, His grace taken hold of by faith and partaken of, and every soul may receive it through living connection with God, obtained from Jesus and giving life to the believer.Lt 58, 1895, par. 55–58+4 Receiving it through beholding Christ draws the soul into contemplation of His character, makes humble, grateful confidence an abiding principle, drives away unbelieving fear, and increases confidence, hope, patience and courage.Lt 58, 1895, par. 55–58+2 It teaches the same truth as the bread of life come down from heaven and as abiding in the vine to bear fruit, for Christ abides within as the vital principle by which spiritual health, strength and righteousness are imparted to be revealed in daily practice, and he who partakes of Christ never hungers and never thirsts while earthly things sought for happiness such as salary or favors never satisfy but increase hunger and thirst.ST Aug 29, 1895+1 Those who receive what He gives are called to cling to Him and follow Him as the Fountain of life.Lt 33, 1895, par. 23–24

Whoever is united with Christ has Christ abiding within as a living, never-failing fountain supplying strength and grace for every need, and His love springs up in good works leading to eternal life and flows outward through righteous words and deeds.2SP 140.2–141.3+3 The water is Christ Himself dwelling within as a continuing inward source through the Spirit, springing up into everlasting life, and Christ opens within those who receive Him a fountain that refreshes others, for He is the fountain, wellspring and source of living water, salvation and eternal life.STBk 47.1–48.1+4 When a person recognizes need for grace God purifies and refines the defiled soul and implants His righteousness and peace so the heart is like a well from which the issues of life spring, and this inward work though unseen appears in a changed life and in love, gratitude, joy, thanksgiving and praise.STMW9 54.4+1 Those who receive become a source of blessing to others with what they receive flowing as living streams that refresh and bless.CT 450.2

Christ holds the right to give immortality, giving to humanity the life He laid down in humanity and takes up again, having life in Himself, and restoring the life lost through sin, and the water ends thirst forever because it stays within as a living source leading to unending life.Ms 131, 1897, par. 5+2 Christ sees beneath the surface and knows the thirst of the soul which earthly water can never satisfy, and He knows the needs of the world which the Father supplies through Him alone.ST Feb 20, 1912 He offers abundant supply freely even when it has not been asked for, thirsts to give this water to needy souls, and thirsts for recognition, love and cooperation from those for whom He left heaven, and His own hunger, thirst and weariness are satisfied and He rejoices when consciences are aroused, perceptions quickened and souls drink to become a spring flowing to many others.ST Feb 20, 1912

The living water is the revelation of His grace in His Word, including His Spirit and teaching, it is the truth of God and the Word of God, the bread of life, received as thirsty men receive water, becoming an inward source of truth.Lt 40, 1896, par. 7–8+4 As bread is to the hungry and water to the thirsty so the Word is to those who love Him, given to the truly penitent, satisfying every want while earthly blessings however great can never satisfy the mind or cleanse the soul and worldly pleasures cannot satisfy or heal.Lt 40, 1896, par. 7–8+2 A heart nourished by this water speaks words pure and refreshing that direct others to the source of life, and its influence flows out in words and actions that refresh others and awaken desires for strength, purity, holiness, peace and lasting joy.Lt 40, 1896, par. 7–8+2 Drinking it means hungering for it, searching the Scriptures, living by every word from God's mouth, receiving Christ's words and obeying them, bringing faith that leads to obedience, sanctification, righteousness, assimilation to the divine image and transformation, so that the word becomes the voice of God instructing in the way to walk.ST Sep 5, 1895

The water is the words and instruction of God and Christ received into the heart, which quench thirst, nourish the spiritual nature like food and drink, and continually satisfy when meditated on and practiced, and knowledge of God's Word in a person is like a well springing up to everlasting life bringing refreshment to thirsty souls.17MR 263.3+3 Filling the heart with these words and meditating on them nourishes and strengthens the spiritual nature as food and drink build the body, and meditation strengthens and revives while its principles shape life.SC 88.2+1 His words open a fountain of life with abundant continuous treasured gifts of eternity, falling on thirsty souls with blessed life-giving power to awaken new impulses and open new life even to outcasts.2MR 109.1+1

The living water is found in Scripture's presentation of Christ and brings nourishment to those starving for Him, satisfying thirst as an inward source springing up to everlasting life, and through His Son God supplies His people with His Word and with the dews and showers of grace, enriched as by the river of God.ST Feb 20, 1912+1 The water is the water of salvation in the precious truths given for this time, taken in by prayer and study with a softened and subdued heart for deeper experience, and drinking deeply means receiving those truths so the water becomes a living spring that flows forth to refresh perishing souls, making receivers channels who impart wisdom aright.6T 320.1+2 It is salvation given through truth preached as the bread of life, feeding those hungry for truth, satisfying them, and bringing rejoicing with softening grace, joy and the presence of Jesus.Lt 14, 1898, par. 14–17

The water is heavenly wisdom springing up into everlasting life, and teachers advanced in spiritual understanding and thorough in the sciences lead the youth to that fountain, aiming at highest attainments to do good with knowledge blended with Christlike character.CE 51.1–52.1+1 The water is the religion of the Bible, true Christianity and the Spirit's influence, a continual wellspring of inestimable happiness to drink at will without exhausting, not detrimental to health but the best medicine for disease, for heaven is all health and deeper heavenly influence brings surer recovery to the believing sick.CH 28.1 The water is the joy and hope of the gospel, the peace of Christ, freedom and rest in the Saviour and the imperishable glory of heaven, infinitely superior to fleeting worldly joys, pleasures, riches and self-indulgence, satisfying the deepest needs of mind and heart and found where love, light, truth and life are found.Ms 12, 1901, par. 1–3+3 It is greater than Jacob's well water and better than happiness sought through self-indulgence, ending thirst forever by satisfying the heart's craving and giving peace.6T 64.1+1

Jesus is a wellspring of joy who loves human happiness, and the joy He gives is true gladness, and happiness drawn from Him does not fail but is constant rather than dependent on changing circumstances, worldly goods or earthly friends.RP 34.1–3 The water is Christ's love received in the heart, bringing eternal life, and Christ's love in the soul is like a well sending out living streams that bring life and gladness, and when welcomed He fills the soul with love and gives the eternal riches of heaven.LC1 92.2+4 Those who receive it share it through good works, right example and Christian counsel, and Christ offers this life to the weary, inviting them to rest, taking burdens and giving peace.LC1 92.2+2 When truth and His love abide they shape speech, turning conversation toward God's goodness and holy things and the things God has prepared for those who love Him, leaving no place for criticizing servants or picking flaws with His message.CT 342.1–2+2 Christ's love is a gift that becomes a living source springing up into everlasting life, and the more people have of it the more they desire it, and its life and power strengthen them, help them grow toward the full stature of men and women in Christ, and make them a blessing.Ms 9, 1885, par. 14–15

Christ's presence formed within the soul is like a well springing up to everlasting life, Christ meets spiritual needs as food meets physical needs, and drinking deeply from His sympathy, tenderness and love changes experience.7MR 272.2–273.1+1 The water Christ gives is His grace, which satisfies the soul, and those who receive it are moved to guide others to the living stream.STMMW 14.2–15.1 The water is His rich grace provided through His death on the cross, its spring deep, wide, pure and never exhausted, supplying the necessity created by wrong appetite, and God is nearer than thought to poor hungering souls who may receive directly from Christ rather than depending on drugs by being pointed to Calvary.Lt 56, 1898, par. 10–11 The gift is compared to the sacred fire God kindled for Israel, placed on censers as prayers rose to God, and through Christ's gift believers may partake of the divine nature, with receiving this nourishment giving grace to use talents to bring a harvest of souls.Ms 18, 1895, par. 15–16+1 Those who receive it have eternal life, which is Christ's gift to the world.Ms 92, 1903, par. 20

The water is for every person who comes to Christ, supplying every need when Christ abides in the soul, and Jesus satisfies the soul's deepest need and brings rest and healing through His immeasurable love, in whom the soul finds all it needs, with growing knowledge day by day.Lt 156, 1901, par. 19–21+3 Christ Himself is the water of life given to all who ask, just as truly to Abel, Seth, Enoch, Noah and all who received His instruction then as now.ST Feb 20, 1912 Christ is the only source of eternal life and seals every other fountain, every other fountain is sealed and every avenue closed except the way to God, offering only knowledge that can be utilized for practical life and working out salvation rather than gratifying curiosity and prying questions.8T 310.1+2 Christ Himself is the water of life and fountain of life quenching spiritual thirst and giving enduring life, the source of hope, joy and courage in suffering bringing comfort and peace, and when He is a person's only dependence He becomes a wellspring of joy known through daily personal experience that Christ is theirs and they are His.Lt 28, 1892, par. 8–10+1

Christ is the source of the pure water of life, and the soul that receives it is satisfied and continually refreshed with nourishment that satisfies longing for righteousness and calms the fever of worldly strife, and He is the source where the sin-sick soul burdened by sin and unrest finds relief by coming to and knowing Him, for knowledge of Christ is life eternal.4RED 59.2+1 Christ gives spiritual life sustaining the soul and leading to everlasting life, unlike temporal food sustaining only bodily life, and the water is linked with feeding on God's word and receiving what Jesus gives.Lt 2a, 1892, par. 4 The water of life with the bread of heaven is for rich and poor, high and low together through God's appointed agencies, involving education in right habits, separation from harmful associations, health-restoring treatments, and instruction from Christian nurses and physicians.STB 601.2+1 The gift of grace is often nearer than thought, unseen until it falls and often wholly unexpected, and if there is faith and patient waiting for a little while, His help will come and surprise as He surprised the woman of Samaria, coming down like showers upon the fruitful earth.ST Feb 20, 1912

The water is the gift of God Christ came to bestow, the knowledge of salvation by remission of sins through tender mercy, light to those in darkness and guidance into peace, received by knowing the gift and pressing with importunate prayer, and experimental knowledge leads to making its preciousness known so others may ask and receive.ST Jun 19, 1893 The water of life God gives satisfies the deepest and most urgent needs of His children, it becomes within them a wellspring leading to everlasting life, so that those who receive it are filled with God's fullness and have Christ as the wellspring within.Lt 5, 1896, par. 1–2 The water is a secret spring curing all diseases and giving health and vigor, and each person must plunge for it himself at venture for no one can obtain it for another.LSEGW 124.1–3

To drink is to come to Christ with the simplicity of a child coming to earthly parents, asking for what He has promised and believing it is received in childlike faith that trusts His word, and the water must be personally received and drunk first, including a fuller measure of the Spirit.STB 170.1–2+3 No one with this promise before him needs to remain parched and withered for lack of that water, for those who remain spiritually parched do so by their own fault in refusing to come to Christ and receive what He promises by faith.STB 170.1–2+3 Jesus gives living water as the gift of God to whoever asks Him, water that forever satisfies the thirst of the soul for truth unlike Jacob's well water that leaves all who drink thirsty again, offered freely to all who are spiritually thirsty, weary or exhausted with abundant supply even when it has not been asked for, open to every oppressed, languid, parched and fainting soul who asks and watches unto prayer.DA 454.3+4 The Samaritan woman thirsted for truth without knowing that He, the Truth, stood beside her, and thirsting souls today still sit close by the living fountain yet look far away and will not believe the refreshing water is near.ST Apr 22, 1897

Her natural thirst led her to recognize her spiritual need, and Christ offered to meet it before she asked, showing natural thirst can lead to this thirst of soul.ST Feb 20, 1912+1 To drink this water is to come to Christ, believe that He receives you, and accept Him as Saviour, for the invitation calls for a real choice and conversion, not merely a profession of faith.Ms 48, 1894, par. 18–19 To drink is to personally receive Christ's life, what He gives, and God's Word by living faith, relying on Him rather than on feelings or human support, with meditating on the Word and practicing its principles making it a vital presence in the heart.CE 142.2–143.1+4 The gift must be obtained personally and individually, since no one can obtain it for another, by coming to Christ, seeking, asking with earnest persevering prayer, and drinking for oneself, laying self, temptations, ideas and feelings at the foot of the cross and going to the fountain to drink deep, available to both husband and wife but only as each chooses to yield and come, with help to be sought again and again.CET 125.1–3+4

Christ offers the water of life but does not force anyone to receive it; a person must choose to take hold of it and stand in Christ.Ms 163, 1898, par. 16–17 They are to ask Him for salvation with the simple trust and dependence of a child, rather than seeking help in worldly amusements, and receiving means fixing the soul on Jesus and living in communion with God, where the Holy Spirit quickens and molds the person and life becomes an inward well.Ms 18, 1895, par. 6+1 Strength must be drawn from Christ by asking Him for living water, and when received it becomes Christ in the soul giving all knowledge essential to be children of God and opening the widest fields of usefulness.Ms 91, 1901, par. 25–26 His joyful promise to thirsty people who come for refuge is that He will do for them more abundantly than they can ask or think, pouring out all heaven's resources in the gospel as healing for human suffering, clothing with His righteousness all who come, displaying in human nature the perfect obedience God requires, and teaching that human happiness lies in obedience.Lt 5, 1898, par. 9–10

When a person feels no sufficiency in self, realizes dependence on God, and hangs the helpless soul on Jesus, this living water flows into the soul, with the Lord becoming wisdom, sanctification, strength and righteousness, and one converted in soul, body and spirit and connected with Christ as Teacher receives supply for the Master's work without dependence on school education.Ms 147, 1901, par. 37–39 Help comes from Christ alone, who is to be recognized as honored guest and constant Companion, and receiving means refusing to live as hopeless mourners, committing the keeping of the soul to Him and trusting the naked promise rather than feeling or erring mortals, for feelings change while the Eternal promises are solid rock, until talking with God continually as Enoch walked with God becomes habitual, a life possible even in 1901 though the world is no more favorable for perfection than in Enoch's day.Ms 144, 1901, par. 13–14 Every provision has been made so there is no excuse for remaining in weakness, resting wholly on believing God's words, and the Lord calls for being filled with all fullness of God, then the water becomes a well within enabling true representation of His words, with believers emptied of self and cleansed becoming co-laborers who are given grace only to impart it to those needing light and comfort and hope and love.Lt 102, 1899, par. 8+1

Receiving it means coming to Christ for life that occasional flashes of light cannot provide, for the soul longs to receive and drink for more than occasional flashes from an abiding source continually satisfying spiritual thirst.Ms 34, 1892, par. 27+2 The water is received by hungering and thirsting after righteousness with humble willingness to learn, and it is offered to meet spiritual need to those who thirst and ask, providing the water of life to those who hunger and thirst.SPBC 168.2+4 It is a heavenly gift satisfying longing, received by those hungering and thirsting for righteousness with faith, while evil thinking and speaking keep people from receiving it.Lt 18, 1894, par. 15–18 Drinking means hungering for the word, searching the Scriptures, living by every word from God's mouth, receiving Christ's words, studying them and obeying them, with Christ's instruction received and obeyed continually refreshing the soul.Lt 82, 1907, par. 10–17+2

Drinking brings faith in the word that leads to obedience, and that faith produces sanctification, righteousness, assimilation to the divine image, and transformation of character and life with influence flowing outward as life-giving power.Lt 20, 1895, par. 9–10+1 To those who drink, the word becomes the voice of God instructing them in the way to walk, refreshing and reviving the soul by grace, strengthening and encouraging it and satisfying its deepest need.ST Sep 5, 1895+1 Through the Holy Spirit opening Scripture's truth, people enter communion with Christ, gain fresh understanding of His character and work, and treasure experiences they long to share. Feeding on Christ's words instead of turbid streams cures sentimental craving for human attention and gives spirituality by purifying the soul through obeying truth, bringing greater spirituality and less sentimentalism.14MR 306.3+1

The Word appreciated, searched, compared, meditated on, received and obeyed becomes an inner source that conforms life to its principles, creates greater hunger for Christ than for papers and novels, and heals, revives, removes weariness, strengthens and encourages like a fresh running stream.20MR 308.1–2 Drinking means daily receiving Christ's life-giving grace, which strengthens the believer as they prayerfully study His words, and receiving this life is connected with heeding His words and valuing Scripture, which brings inward refreshment, so careful prayerful study is necessary.Ms 140, 1902, par. 18+2 Christ's instruction in the Word is like a well, and received and obeyed it continually refreshes and satisfies the soul, revives it with grace, and shapes life according to heaven's principles.ST Oct 10, 1906 The life-giving water is found in the wellsprings from which a person refreshes the soul by eating God's Word and drinking its waters.Ms 35, 1896, par. 18

Jesus gives living water that comes from the river of God to those who lay self, temptations, ideas and feelings at the foot of the cross and hand themselves to Him to be molded, and receiving it follows living faith that works by love and purifies the soul and learning meekness, making the soul ready for divine instruction and surrender without reservation.21MR 302.3–4+1 Hungering and thirsting for the water with the bread of life means laying aside selfish worldly principles and enjoyment, realizing the worth of souls Christ died for, living up to profession, and purifying the soul by obeying truth instead of degrading faith, refusing light, selling the soul for nothing, and gaining the world while losing the soul.20MR 151.5+1 Drinking comes with hearts subdued by God's Spirit and an eye single to His glory, and then its pure streams refresh and heal the drinker and all connected with him while a flood of heavenly light pours upon the soul.15MR 23.4 Drinking from the fountain means receiving transforming grace and love that quickens the soul, and those filled respond with gratitude and praise and share what they received and lead others to the living waters.Lt 4, 1889, par. 5+1

Drinking the water means receiving the rich current of divine love, an experience to be practiced through God's Word that leads to deeper sanctification, unity, and holding fast to Christ instead of self.Lt 120, 1898, par. 1 Receiving Christ and the water of salvation means a saving union with Him, in which the Holy Spirit gives life, purifies the believer, and enables works like Christ's.Lt 75, 1900, par. 11–14 Drinking His grace is necessary to improve one's own situation and help those around, and His grace meets the needs of souls ready to perish.Ms 18, 1895, par. 7 Those who receive it are refreshed and become able to refresh others, which leads them to seek Christ, learn from His meekness, and put away selfishness.Lt 60, 1894, par. 8–11 Whoever receives His words finds the soul's thirst met, and the Samaritan woman's request expresses the longing for this life-giving water.LC1 91.4

Christ's water of life is an invitation to seek Him, offered freely and bringing inward spiritual life leading to everlasting life.13MR 142.1+1 Drinking the water of life means receiving the Lord's grace and power through following the Saviour, and those who receive it are to lead their families to drink with them.Lt 180, 1902, par. 28–29 The Lord alone gives the water of life to fill those hungering and thirsting after righteousness, bringing rich satisfaction and fullness which is the glory Christ gave His disciples, a character fashioned after the divine likeness fitting believers for ministry, received without failure by coming with contrite spirit and earnest prayer with forgiveness for imperfections.ST Sep 5, 1895 Christ gives the water of life to thirsty souls so His redeeming love fills the parched heart, and those who minister to sinners should lead them to Jesus rather than leave them empty, offered even to poor, downtrodden and degraded sinners who through faith are purified with refined taste and sanctified judgment and fitted to receive the Word that gives understanding to the simple.SPBC 168.2+1

The poor and ignorant who receive Christ by faith drink the water of life and are welcomed by the sin-pardoning Saviour and raised to the dignity of God's sons and daughters, for the water of life is Christ's gift received by faith with its life leading to everlasting life.7T 226.1–2+1 His concern in this gift is for every soul without distinction between Jew and Gentile, free and bond, neighbor and stranger, friend and enemy, and need, not nationality, rank, religion or relationship, is what matters so all are equally welcome.9T 191.1+1 Received through faith in Him as the Messiah, His grace renews the soul, and the water begins to spring up in the heart as the Spirit works, bringing conviction of His character and new light.DA 189.3–190.3 The water is what a learner in Christ's school drinks, and receiving it means gaining the knowledge of Christ which strengthens and blesses the soul.Lt 119, 1898, par. 8

Drinking from the fountain is necessary for doing more for Christ, going with setting aside self-directed wishes, ease and pleasures and fixing the eye on Jesus as pattern.Ms 17, 1887, par. 12 Christ turns curiosity about knowledge that does not meet practical needs away, refusing to gratify prying questions, and instead opens new channels of thought with much-needed instruction in practical godliness that works out salvation, giving only knowledge that can be utilized and sealing every other fountain except the way to God.8T 310.1+3 John eagerly and deeply drank from this fountain of wisdom and sought to lead others to it.ST Nov 9, 1882+1 A passing taste of religious excitement is not drinking, for those without real hunger for righteousness turn to unsatisfying pleasures like broken cisterns that hold no water.Ms 70, 1894, par. 6–7

Anxious and troubled people are invited to come to Christ and drink, for He refreshes the soul as a river of water in a dry place.Lt 74, 1906, par. 4–5 Jesus gives life satisfying spiritual thirst and answering longing hearts, and His words brought life-giving power to the publicans and others at Matthew's feast, awakening new impulses and opening new life even for people rejected by society.DA 273.6–274.3 Christ gives the water of salvation to those thirsty for a healthy faith; drinking it ends spiritual thirst, brings the soul out of darkness into gospel light, and gives saving grace received with rejoicing and with peace and hope and joy that remains even in death, the salvation of one soul being worth more than the riches of the whole world.Ms 144, 1905, par. 1–3 Jesus Himself is the freely offered fountain springing up within the heart and rising to all eternity, His water plenteous grace to pardon all sins with healing streams to make and keep a person pure, received by casting oneself heartily on Christ and patiently trusting Him to fight battles beyond finite strength, saying over and over in surrender that one is His and appropriating His support instead of living in discouragement and changeable feelings, with evidence of standing in what the Lord says rather than in joy.4MR 180.2–181.4

This gift is needed and there is little time to receive it before the Lord comes, so sins must be put away.Ms 6, 1893, par. 6 Failing to drink leaves people vulnerable to the pleasure-loving spirit of the age, while closeness to Christ deepens hunger and thirst for His righteousness.Lt 3, 1882, par. 10–12 Christ offers the water of life in the solemn truth preached to the church, and to drink is to receive that message; those who refuse become filled with disaffection, miss healing, become hardened like Pharaoh, and hold an evil influence, while only receiving, living the truth and working for hungry souls keeps the church alive.21MR 31.4–32.3

The water becomes inside the one who receives it a spring that never fails, ending thirst forever, satisfying the soul's deepest longing for more than passing relief and rising into everlasting life.Lt 3, 1899, par. 34+4 It is an enduring, continuing inward source, not a single draught or occasional flash of light, but life that abides and satisfies continually.Ms 34, 1892, par. 27+1 Receiving that life through looking to Christ draws the soul to contemplate His character, and humble grateful confidence becomes an abiding principle that drives away unbelieving fear.Lt 58, 1895, par. 55–58+2 Living faith grows in its place, with increasing confidence, hope, patience and courage.Lt 63, 1895, par. 51–53

Christ Himself abides within as the vital principle by which spiritual health and strength and righteousness are imparted to be shown in daily practice, the same truth as the bread of life come down from heaven and as abiding in the vine to bear fruit.ST Aug 29, 1895 The water becomes a living principle in the heart that reforms the whole life from within outward, making the person complete in Him, which is the kingdom of God within, Christ ruling in the heart.20MR 112.3–113.2+1 Right principles adopted after careful consideration and personal choice become a living molding influence taking hold of the depths of human nature as a well springing to everlasting life and overflowing the soul.Lt 73, 1901, par. 8–13+2 God's principles, when freely chosen, respected and maintained, become part of life and shape the person in the divine likeness.Lt 73, 1901, par. 8–13+1

Truth received into the heart becomes a living enduring source springing to everlasting life, and accepting truth that appeals to reason rather than yielding to perverted appetite gives a decided influence for the right with molding power upon work and associates.18MR 49.3–50.2+1 That life-giving water becomes an abiding source explained as God's truth taking root in the heart, which cannot be suppressed, refreshes the weary, and restrains vile thoughts and words.5T 600.2 When the truth, the Word of God, is cherished and abides until it controls the whole person, the heart is kept as a living spring refreshing all within reach, while without this inward keeping conscience will be violated because every earthly influence is weak against the wayward heart.17MR 234.2 The principles of Christ's life, adopted by faith, become in the soul a well springing to everlasting life, so the soul filled with His grace overflows to refresh others in a life lived for God rather than self.Lt 21, 1901, par. 6–7+1

The water becomes an inner well of elevated, holy, constantly refreshing joy, and those who love Christ by keeping His commandments and doing God's will know the doctrine with certainty, which makes the soul brave and courageous, anxious to sow truth, with soul-winning work itself the refreshing joy within.Ms 27, 1900, par. 12 It fills the soul with overpowering joy and overflowing gladness like a thankful heart continually overflowing in blessings, creating desire to obtain it and to have others receive it too, so that earthly errands are forgotten in haste to impart the light.COS 58.3–59.1+3 The living water sustains spiritual life and leads to eternal life as people believe and live the Gospel and take Christ's words as spiritual food, giving spiritual health and vigor and producing the fruits of the Spirit so character becomes like Christ in unselfishness, integrity, kindness and love.ST Oct 3, 1900 Like natural life, that spiritual life is sustained through appointed means as believers receive, watch and pray, work, and heed God's Word while growing toward Christ's fullness.AA 284.1–2+1

Drinking means receiving spiritual nourishment that brings strength and grace for duty and trial so those who drink freely flourish in the Lord, bringing heavenly peace and joy and lasting happiness unlike earthly wealth, with power to overcome evil and grace sufficient for need.Lt 3, 1873, par. 7–10+2 It means daily receiving grace that refreshes, strengthens, uplifts and renews mental and even physical powers, given to those converted and wholeheartedly serving, showing the body is a temple of the Holy Spirit with vitalizing energy and joyousness, preparing the receiver to refresh others and cooperate with God.Lt 5, 1898, par. 27–29 Those who receive it have eternal life, so even if they fall at their post in death they have only fallen asleep to rest until Jesus awakes them to share eternal glory and raises them up at the last day.Lt 363, 1904, par. 7–9 The life He gives springs up within the believer and continues into eternity, and the hymn asks Christ, the source of life, to spring up within the heart and to make and keep the believer pure.SC 8.1–4

The living water is a source from which people drink that brings blessing and leads to endless joy in His everlasting kingdom, and those who have tasted it know peace and joy in believing and should bring others to it.ST Sep 9, 1889 It becomes an inward continuing source leading to everlasting life that brings inner conflicts to an end, brings every thought under Christ's control, and gives new life to hopes, purposes and efforts, with Christ's abiding presence ruling the soul and shaping character.Lt 58a, 1893, par. 1–9+1 Christ lives in the forgiven repentant soul as a well springing into everlasting life, and the life-giving Spirit received through Him fills the soul with love, earnestness and energy, bringing forth thanksgiving, praise, gratitude and joy.Lt 54, 1894, par. 11–12 His life-giving influence through the Spirit within is like a well springing to everlasting life, keeping self from ruling and shaping choices and plans.Ms 42, 1894, par. 1

The water of life may be received within and springs to everlasting life, connected with Christ's grace and the Spirit taking possession of the heart, so the heart is no longer ruled by self.Lt 234, 1907, par. 3 When self is emptied and false gods cast out, Christ's presence through the Holy Spirit fills the heart as an inward living source, the believer is united with Christ and bears the Spirit's fruit, bitter words and feelings cease, and a reconciled heart is seen in relationships.Ms 3, 1890, par. 2–4+1 Then the Spirit directs the heart toward spiritual things and the indwelling life supplies new motives and produces righteousness and the fruits of love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness and self-control for a fruitful life to God's glory.STOM 37.2–38.1+1 Receiving brings the Spirit's saving work into a heart emptied of self with fresh converting power that lifts above worldly ambition, drives out selfishness, and appears in feeling forgiveness and forgiving those who injure.Lt 76, 1894, par. 12+1

When a person recognizes need for grace, God purifies and refines the defiled soul and implants His righteousness, peace and health, and the heart becomes like a well from which the issues of life spring.STMW9 54.4+2 The water is Christ's own life dwelling in the soul, received by learning from Christ and trusting His power to help and save, and kept alive by praying without ceasing, living out prayer and exercising faith.6T 471.5+2 Faith is the life-blood of the soul, and where this life is present it gives warmth, health, consistency and sound judgment, exerts a powerful though unconscious influence, leads to constant cultivation of heavenly graces and kindly submission to the Lord, and reveals His indwelling.6T 471.5+1 Christ must abide in the heart by faith with His Word as bread of life and water of salvation, with truth in fullness through constant communion and spiritual strength through eating His flesh and drinking His blood, as He supplies the heart's lifeblood, so that begotten again to lively hope the soul rises higher and still higher.Ms 24, 1900, par. 29–34

Drinking is linked with having Christ abide in the heart, the life received through Christ being present because the believer is in Christ, and His holiness filling the life of those who receive and practice His words, refreshing thirsty souls and joining with the work of saving souls.13MR 199.2–200.1+1 Jesus within the believer is like hidden water nourishing a palm tree in the desert, and faith reaches beneath what is seen to draw strength and grace from Christ, enabling Christians to remain pure and faithful amid ridicule, corruption and godlessness toward everlasting life.ST Jan 16, 1879 Jesus is the Christian's source of life, and faith draws life from Him even amid the world's corruption, enabling the Christian to remain true to God and to bless and guide weary souls toward Him.ST Aug 6, 1902 Receiving and taking in God's promises refreshes and encourages the faint-hearted, like drinking the water of life.Ms 71, 1898, par. 9–12

Drinking means walking and talking with Jesus and receiving light, comfort, love and power, expecting everything God can give with more faith and no pondering of doubts, giving victory over discouragement and confusion and power to proclaim the third angel's message to pierce moral darkness black as velvet.Lt 218, 1899, par. 11 That life is drawn from grace through constant communion, and turning from selfishness and being strengthened by that communion enables people to encourage others while walking to heaven, emptied of self sharing light, comfort, hope and love, with words and actions pointing others to Jesus.7MR 391.1+4 Communion with God received through living faith and reliance on His strength is a living fountain reviving and strengthening the believer, enabling offering the same refreshment to others.1T 433.1–434.2 Christ living within is expressed through death of self and victories over wrongs as a person puts heart and home in order and prepares for eternity, and this spring refreshes contacts while Bible study, communion and meditation develop pure character, this inward work unseen but its effects appearing in a changed life and in love, gratitude, joy and praise.2T 88.1+2

Christ dwelling inside becomes a living wellspring of love showing as gentleness refreshing those around, making a person faithful in friendship, keeping trusts, refusing to separate from a faulty brother, laying the ax at bitterness and wounding speech, talking more of Jesus even amid sorrow and having more of heaven here.Ms 160, 1907, par. 3–6+1 As He dwells in a person, love, goodness, gratitude and a fragrant character appear in words and actions even when surroundings seem spiritually dry, and this life comes from God, without whom a person can do nothing.Lt 48, 1878, par. 10–11 Where Jesus is within as the hope of glory the heart holds only love and thankfulness and praise, living as seeing the invisible God, and His indwelling life produces holiness and growth so believers strengthen the good purposes of those they meet.ST Apr 3, 1893+1 Its presence is seen in a life refreshed by grace and bearing fruit in faithful service, shown in Christlike character and holy action, which is evidence that receivers are God's children.Ms 60, 1894, par. 28+1

It is known by holiness of heart and wholeness to Christ, God in the thoughts, love for those for whom Christ died, self-denial, a life fragrant with love, delight in contemplating God's love above anything earth offers, preference for plain duties over romantic novelties, satisfaction with the place God appoints, strengthening the good purposes of everyone contacted, and steady growth toward the measure of men and women in Christ.ST Apr 3, 1893 In the truly converted person the water becomes an inner spring of divine life that reproduces Christ's sympathy that always uplifts and restores and never destroys, working outward in tender pity for the weak with no hardness and ever uprising to bless all within influence.ST Mar 5, 1912+1 It causes gifts to be brought with willing heart and acts of mercy to be done not from compulsion but because the person shares Christ's nature and divine character.ST Mar 5, 1912+1 The truly converted person shows this inward source in kind, humble, thoughtful conduct, doing what is right, loving others, reflecting heaven's light, and bearing fruit in home, neighborhood and church.5T 569.1–2

Christ within the truly converted soul appears in a home marked by kindness and love rather than faultfinding, leading the believer to shine, and His presence in parents who seek God wholeheartedly becomes an abiding source revealed in spirit, actions and words, shaping love, purity, patience, meekness, humility, perseverance, integrity and zeal, with strength to guide children to the same source.Ms 12, 1898, par. 25–28+2 Christ abiding within as a never-failing well is seen in love and practical care for the needy, while indifference and selfishness show a person is not drinking the water of salvation.Ms 62, 1894, par. 23–24 Christ within as a constant living wellspring interwoven with life washes character in the blood of the Lamb as defects are put away, so the streams are pure and heavenly, and the humble receive a foretaste of heaven.Lt 37, 1887, par. 25–26+1 Christ within a person is like a well springing to everlasting life, His presence purifying the soul and forming a character like the divine character.Ms 11a, 1895, par. 9

His life in a person is like a well springing to everlasting life, and testimonies and prayers should show that He is living in those who speak, for stale words without this living experience do not help the church.9MR 99.2 Habitual communion with God and continual feeding on His Word keep the water fresh in prayers and testimonies that refresh others, while stale prayers without that life help neither the one praying nor the church.Lt 118, 1896, par. 12 Receiving this gift therefore does not earn salvation by subsequent faithful service, service follows from receiving God's undeserved gift, and His pardoning love when present makes the whole life reveal it in service and good works.ST Dec 3, 1912+1 The ennobling principles of religion strengthen the mental powers and destroy the taste for frivolous gratification.STB 862.1–2+2

Genuine spiritual life therefore produces lasting growth as those who receive it draw continually from Christ and reflect Him, unlike passing feelings, impressions, brief surface experience, temporary excitement or pleasant feelings, which soon dry up and are not this abiding life.1MR 370.4–371.3+3 It gives strength of principle and power to stand as a faithful sentinel and true reformer in cooperation with Christ, gaining victory over wrong hereditary and cultivated tendencies by self-denying use of God-given faculties, with change appearing outwardly in choices and conduct.20MR 112.3–113.2+1 Christ's life in the soul strengthens faith, leads to steady growth of heavenly qualities, and produces willing submission to God, and as the unfailing source He refreshes those continually receiving with freshness, simplicity, humility, meekness and lowliness.ST Feb 7, 1900+1 The life of Christ dwelling in the soul through learning and faith becomes an inner spring toward eternal life, giving vitality with spiritual warmth, health, consistency, sound judgment and unconscious influence, leading to cultivation of heavenly graces and a life revealing His indwelling.Ms 18, 1901, par. 8

His life within produces a Christlike character and blessing, receiving His abundant grace like drinking produces genuine experience with sentiments in harmony with His character and leaves a transforming impression on the believer and those around, turning barren souls fruitful in contrast to bitterness that defiles.Lt 82, 1893, par. 6–7+1 He lives in those striving to give character to present truth as an inner source of everlasting life, refreshing them daily with salvation's streams and making them a source of refreshing so holiness' beauty is seen through His comeliness put upon them.Lt 73, 1905, par. 11 The first work in every school is to become acquainted with God, to be truly converted and have Christ dwelling within as the hope of glory.Ms 84, 1901, par. 2–4 Knowing Christ brings relief to unrest and unsatisfied desires from sin, with satisfying joy giving vigor to mind and vitality to body, healing and strengthening those who drink, as the sinner beholding Jesus finds fear giving way to joy, doubt to hope, and gratitude and love arising.1T 604.1–2+4

Christ as the wellspring of life brings relief from spiritual weariness, loneliness and dissatisfaction, with satisfying joy and vigor to mind and body including health to the body, and sufferers from maladies of the soul find no relief until they come to Him.RP 35.4–36.1+2 Uncertainty and feverish thirst for wealth and honor are gone, and those who drink lose taste for frivolous exciting amusements, low passing pleasures, and craving for change.4RED 89.1–2+3 The craving for righteousness is met, the fever of worldly strife is allayed, and happiness from Christ is constant unlike happiness from earthly sources, with continual refreshment and strengthened moral powers for those spiritually united with Him.ST Mar 15, 1877+1 Hungering and thirsting after righteousness means seeking Christ within, which gives peace, joy and happiness, purifies, sanctifies and transforms character, leading the hungry soul to Christ the Fountain of joy, peace and happiness.CH 242.1–2+1

Drinking deeply of the precious water means studying the Word until it lives inside as a continuing source leading to eternal life, fitting burdened conscientious workers to speak on Bible subjects, do good, win hearts, and be filled with the final message of mercy.Ms 26, 1901, par. 5 The Spirit brings God's love into the heart and satisfies longing so that the riches, honors and pleasures of the world lose their pull.COS 58.3–59.1 Christ united to believers gives continual refreshment and satisfied thirst through His Spirit, with strengthened moral powers and removal of feverish desire for wealth and honor.ST Mar 15, 1877 Having that living water means having faith which works by love and purifies the soul and makes alive in Christ, and it means speaking truth in love, walking in truth, practicing truth in transactions, walking worthy of the calling, and doing works that correspond to truth's elevating influence.3MR 59.1–2+1

The living water sustains a testimony of mercy and hope that enables believers to share the blessed hope, the life Christ gives bringing everlasting life and enabling refreshment of others, and longing for it means depending on Christ even in affliction.Lt 23c, 1892, par. 8–10+1 The water brings spiritual life, but some refuse it, those who refuse remain unhealed and their influence can harden others, as the water offered to Judas with Christ's lessons and close communion was refused without benefit.Ms 49, 1898, par. 21–22+1 Those who do not live with Christ within lack spiritual life and know little of heaven's peace and joy, and they fail to use the capacity God gives to help the church and work with Christ to save souls.ST Dec 9, 1886 Neglect to work constantly to perfect Christian character opens the way for Satan's temptations to make a person wayward, with crippled energies, contracted capacities and worldly selfish desires.4MR 213.2–214.1

Christ gives living water to those who walk humbly with God and entrust their lives to Him, and those who receive it do not become self-sufficient but continue pressing onward with Christ, the life He gives making them fruitful and giving them kind, Christlike words.10MR 132.1–3+1 He gives the water of life to hungry and thirsty comers with abiding power working within to restore the soul and break down harshness, coldness, selfishness, and pride, subduing a hasty temper and turning the heart from self toward the perfection of Jesus.Lt 109, 1896, par. 14–15 He is the fountain of life whose gift springs up within bringing healing and inner purity and leading to eternal life, transforming life and character and making words fit to present Him.Lt 35, 1887, par. 18–19+1 The water of life in the soul becomes a well rising to everlasting life, and this is the science of benevolence, love from God centering in God wholly different from selfishness from beneath, whoever is filled revealing pure holy interest with no selfish interests and realizing he must deal justly and tenderly because they were redeemed by Christ's blood.Ms 78, 1901, par. 17–19

The grace of God in those who abide in Christ is like a well springing into everlasting life, giving a precious growing experience and flowing outward as living water, the Holy Spirit impressing truth, softening the heart, cultivating love of truth, justice, mercy and purity, sustaining believers and making their influence evident when persecution comes.4MR 345.1 Those who abide in Christ and receive grace have a living experience influencing those around them, especially when persecution comes, leading them to uphold the truth.Lt 19b, 1892, par. 14–15 Receiving this gift enables people through the Spirit to grow in grace and develop a noble Christian character, those who receive it shaped into Christ's elevated character, following His example rather than cultivating careless speech, with Christ formed within.Ms 198, 1899, par. 37–39+1 Through the Holy Spirit the received words change people into Christ's likeness and sustain faith with the promise of resurrection and eternal life.Lt 82, 1907, par. 10–17

Drinking the waters from life's wellsprings with eating the Word keeps the soul refreshed, making a wife a co-laborer with Christ, equal in knowledge and obedience, learning daily at Jesus' feet with sanctified heart and strengthening her husband for highest service.14MR 307.2 The living water satisfies the thirsty soul through contemplating the better land where tears, trials, losses and reproaches are never known and all is peace, joy and happiness, which makes one spiritually minded, gives heavenly vigor, stamps the heart with the divine image, and fills with hope and joy in believing, with the Comforter abiding forever.ST Sep 27, 1883 Sorrow for sin giving way to joy is pictured by living water, where the penitent's tears and godly sorrow precede holiness and lead toward holiness' sunshine and become a living fountain of joy.2SP 205.2–206.1+1 The healing fountain in the dream is this inward spring rising to everlasting life, drinking deeply expresses desire for Christ's gift, renews and strengthens, brings vigor, and invites all to come.1T 604.1–2+1

Everyone who trusts in Jesus and drinks becomes like a watered garden whose waters fail not, with hunger satisfied even in drought, with spiritual health and power and continual guidance and light rising out of obscurity, received by ceasing to be self-centered and to brood over ailments and by working in Christ's lines for others.5MR 43.1–2 The water refreshes the soul because the love of Jesus has a heavenly source that the natural heart cannot produce, and it lives and flourishes only as it is refreshed by this water.Lt 40, 1892, par. 36–37 Love and other graces of the Spirit, when cultivated and expressed from a heart where Jesus abides, spring up like a well leading to everlasting life, kind sympathetic words strengthen and heal, expressing these qualities helps them grow, while suppressing them lets affections wither and the heart grow cold.Lt 9, 1892, par. 80–85 The water refreshes, warms and invigorates the soul with the truth of the Word to all who have received Christ as personal Saviour.Ms 77, 1897, par. 23–24

The inner life sustains those who seek the Lord wholeheartedly and equips them to speak words of truth and grace that bless others.Lt 396, 1907, par. 5 This inward supply produces communication that helps and blesses associates, giving the Christian a saving influence as a savor of life unto life.Ms 77, 1897, par. 23–24 Christ places within believers a fountain of supply that must be kept pure, cleansed, guarded, and full to overflowing with present truth by pressing close to Jesus and receiving His richest blessings in the Spirit's sanctification, with the fountain's character told by the words drawn from it, so a sanctified heart yields fragrant words that refresh, enlighten, and bless instead of wounding, with no words wasted in impetuous speech.Lt 117a, 1899, par. 8–9 His grace continually supplies power needed for sanctification, and thirsting souls are to be directed to the Scriptures and to Him.RH Sep 12, 1907

His words of life open a fountain of life within receivers bringing continuing blessing leading to everlasting life.GW 115.3 Living continually in Jesus' presence makes believers like springs whose waters do not fail, and their words and actions point others to Jesus.Lt 18a, 1893, par. 6 The water of life flows from Jesus Christ and is needed by those who walk in the way of everlasting life by using blessings to bless others, once received it remains within as an unfailing inner source issuing in eternal life, bringing continual guidance, clear discernment not to confuse righteousness with unrighteousness, and understanding of where the Lord is working.Ms 43, 1908, par. 18–20 Christ Himself becomes in believers an inner source of eternal life, wherever they are and whatever work they do they may have Him by their side as fellow worker, while He continually seeks to draw them, those who respond receiving prayer and praise in the heart, and with grateful hearts speaking praises of Him who called them out of darkness into marvelous light.ST Mar 3, 1898

When Christ abides in the soul He becomes an inner well, and this presence cannot be hidden but necessarily appears in character, words and deportment as Christ's likeness, awakening in others a deep, abiding, increasing love for Jesus.15MR 267.2 Drinking from Him need not be sought elsewhere because it becomes an inward source received by faith through living connection, and when flowing through faith it becomes a sustaining spring meeting spiritual needs and rising to everlasting life, enabling endurance through changing circumstances and victory over the world, the flesh, and the devil.Lt 48, 1893, par. 47–49+1

The promise is a pattern for work with others: instead of attacking wrong habits, offer this better gift, tell of God's holy law as the transcript of His character and what He wants people to become, and lift up Jesus as the one who takes away sin.MH 156.4–157.2 A heart nourished by this water speaks words that are pure and refreshing and direct others to the source of life, for the water is the revelation of grace in the Word, including Spirit and teaching, which satisfies the soul while worldly pleasures cannot satisfy or heal.Lt 40, 1896, par. 7–8+3 Its influence flows out in words and actions that refresh others and awaken desires for strength, purity, holiness, peace and lasting joy, and the gracious presence in the word becomes a source of spiritual power within.Lt 40, 1896, par. 7–8+2

The heart being cleansed and sanctified by the truth in Jesus, the water produces words that bring life rather than death, and those who keep drinking will never thirst.Ms 68, 1895, par. 3 He who drinks receives the Spirit of Christ within as a well springing up into everlasting life, like a spring welling up in the desert.RH Dec 24, 1908 It destroys selfishness and exclusiveness and fills him with full sympathy with Christ and the same spirit of sacrifice that purchased salvation, flowing out to refresh all and making the perishing eager to drink, so every partaker imparts love, grace and truth and reflects the fulness in Christ.RH Dec 24, 1908

Those who have received this living water are to lead others to Christ the Fountain, freely inviting them to come, guiding weary souls toward Him and communicating His light.Ms 99, 1902, par. 32+4 Receiving it instructs and prepares a person to do good to souls needing counsel by sharing personal experience and urging others to drink, and partaking brings a duty to share Christ's light with a world in darkness.Ms 176, 1897, par. 25–26+1 Receiving this gift and gracious promises should bring gratitude and a burden to share the saving message with people who have not heard it, with the divine invitation for all who hear to receive and share.Lt 2c, 1892, par. 19–21+1

The water is a spiritual gift that makes the heart continually overflow in blessings to others and refreshes those around the receiver, becoming an inward well giving everlasting life found where love, light, truth and life are found in the everlasting gospel.Ms 12, 1901, par. 6–8+1 The blessing received flows outward to others as peace, joy, healing and comfort like living streams bringing life and gladness, and this life-giving truth cannot remain shut within but flows out to refresh those ready to perish and make them eager to seek the water.DA 194.3–195.1+4 The Samaritan woman's response illustrates this practical faith, as she carried the light to her countrymen, and whoever receives saving and sanctifying grace becomes like a spring in a desert leading to share the good news and bring others to Christ.DA 194.3–195.1+1

This gift is not to be hidden away in the heart as a private treasure to be enjoyed alone, nor shown only to those who please the receiver.MH 496.1+1 Everyone who has received divine light carries this inner life to refresh all who come in contact with them, so that through everyday social relations Christianity touches the world and souls are brought to the Saviour.MH 496.1 This gift is not meant to be kept as a private treasure or hidden, but through social relationships and daily contact followers share its refreshing influence openly and bravely with everyone they meet, confessing Christ and showing His meekness, humility and love so as to draw souls to the Saviour.GW 480.2–3+1

The living water entrusted to the church is sacred truth to be shared, and the divine light received is to refresh all who come in contact through everyday social relations; failing to share leaves people perishing in ignorance and sin.MH 496.1+1 Christ dwelling in a person produces an overflowing life of beneficence and compassionate love as a spring that never runs dry. Christ's gift of living water is not stagnant; when His love is in a person it flows outward to bless and help others with healing vigor, springing up as a current of Christ's love received by believing in the One God has sent.Ms 18, 1895, par. 19

When people drink Christ dwells within them as a well, and this inward life fills believers with Christ's love and makes their words life-giving, fitting them to lead others who hunger and thirst to Jesus and the waters of salvation.Lt 77, 1895, par. 12–14 The Saviour dwelling within is a source of everlasting life like a well, and the water flowing from the heart also refreshes and strengthens others, enabling a person to point them to the way of life, which depends on conversion and the Spirit's influence.Ms 69, 1912, par. 77–80 Christ abiding in the soul as a well springing up to everlasting life becomes evident in character and words reflecting His likeness and leading others to love Jesus more deeply.Lt 52, 1894, par. 9

Christ is revealed in His followers as a well springing up to everlasting life, so that steadfast piety and unwavering faith make the Saviour's power visible and believers serve as channels of light, and those who know truth and abide in Christ have moral and spiritual power with life flowing outward like streams.RH Dec 26, 1912+1 Christ dwelling within becomes an unfailing inner source that refreshes the soul, and the refreshed soul constantly refreshes others, leading them to seek Christ, learn His meekness, and put away selfishness.4MR 213.2–214.1+1 The inner spring also flows out to refresh other thirsty souls, for drinking the water is linked with engaging in the work of saving souls in hearts where Christ abides.12MR 356.1–3

Those who receive the water become themselves a source of life to others, with the inward spring flowing outward to refresh souls ready to perish, feed them with the Bread of Life, and win them by missionary work.RH Jan 8, 1901+4 One who has received this life can give the Water of Life to thirsty souls even without polished speech, so faults of grammar or pronunciation are forgiven and forgotten, and when Jesus abides in the heart His presence flows outward in love and kindness.CE 142.2–143.1+2 Drinking of Christ makes His grace an inward source, so those who receive it are refreshed themselves and refresh others, turning barren, fruitless souls into fruitful ones and making desolate places blossom, in contrast to bitterness that defiles others.PK 232.1+1

The life-giving truth received in the heart refreshes the soul like a well, and when the heart drinks its words become kind, tender, helpful and refreshing, while bitterness and harshness poison the springs that should bring life.Lt 9, 1896, par. 2–5 Receiving it fills the heart with His love and brings joy, peace and love so words become nourishing and a blessing, preparing them to bring life to others through good works, right examples, Christian counsel, open confession, and a character marked by meekness, humility and love.4T 555.3–556.1+4 At the feast the invitation went to those wearied by outward pomp and unable to find satisfaction in ceremonies and worldly things, pointing to Christ as the rock and His words as the water of life.ST Jun 3, 1886+1

This spiritual life is expressed in helping the hungry and afflicted and in sharing truth and making sacrifices to help others, and neglecting Christ's work brings no strength or encouragement; love of the world and cares of life separate the soul from God, while active service brings joy in the light of life.RH Feb 17, 1903+1 Christ's love is the pattern of the gift and is shown in unselfish kindness toward others, and kind words and deeds, sympathy, counsel and care can refresh a lonely, burdened soul as water refreshes the thirsty.Lt 76, 1894, par. 9–10+1 Those who have tasted the love of Christ develop their social powers to win souls, exhibiting kindly interest toward those in greatest need even when they are not chosen companions and manifesting loving interest, cheerful piety, sympathy and love in order to draw them to Jesus, and this life refreshes others through benevolence, faith, hope, courage and loving service.6T 172.3+2

The life of Christ within is manifested outward as a charming, winning influence that gathers others to Christ, and the souls won become heirs of immortal life.4MR 213.2–214.1 Under the softening and subduing influence of His Spirit coldness and listlessness disappear, enabling practical, enduring service that leads others to Him with a practical rather than dry testimony and work that endures as long as eternity.21MR 302.3–4+1 This water comes from the river of God to those who lay self, temptations, ideas and feelings at the foot of the cross to be molded, through living faith working by love and learning meekness.21MR 302.3–4+1

Those who receive the gospel from hearts filled with the Holy Spirit can share light, comfort and hope with people who hunger and thirst for righteousness.Lt 102, 1894, par. 4 The love of Christ dwelling in the soul is the well springing up into everlasting life, belonging to those seeking righteousness whose truth abides in the heart; it cannot be repressed but flows from the lips and becomes the theme of conversation, especially the things God has prepared for those that love Him, leaves no place for criticizing servants or picking flaws with His message, and sends forth living streams bringing life and gladness.14MR 125.2–3 When truth abides in the heart what is in the heart flows from the lips, making Christ's lessons the theme of conversation with a relish for holy things, turning conversation toward God's goodness.CT 342.1–2+2

The water within believers springs up continually and cannot be repressed; at Pentecost Christ was in the disciples like this well, with the Holy Spirit giving them fervor and power to preach so their witness could not be repressed.Ms 151, 1898, par. 35–37+2 The Redeemer's love in those who drink draws hearts together in unity with interest in serving others, and receiving the gift and repeating Christ's invitation with diligent persevering work and prayer to save others deepens experience of grace.Ms 58, 1896, par. 32+1 Those who minister to others drink this living water, finding satisfaction that removes desire for exciting amusements, and urge people not to seek satisfaction in inferior things but to come to Him.Ms 58, 1896, par. 32+1

As believers share the light and blessing received, their capacity to receive more grows and fresh grace and truth flow in, while receiving without giving causes loss of the blessing and of capacity to receive.Ms 139, 1898, par. 12 Those connected with Christ receive the water ending thirst and bringing everlasting life and pass it on as living missionaries, for true religion comes from God and leads to God.Lt 4, 1889, par. 3–4 Souls refreshed by drinking can lead others to the living fountain Christ, who saves fully and gives peace, forgiveness, hope, and salvation; hearts thirsting for the water need to be shown it by opening the Bible to them, and those who receive blessing should want others to receive it too.Lt 10, 1886, par. 8–11+1

The longing to lead people to the fountain expresses the desire that they receive Jesus' mercy and love, accept the truth, and not perish in their sins.Ms 54, 1886, par. 4–7 The message of heaven in precious Bible and gospel truths received in sincerity is living water welcomed by perishing thirsty souls, cheering daily toil, turning evening habits from worldly resort to reading God's Word with prayer and praise, and by reforming power making even humble unlearned workers loving holy witnesses.GC88 214.2–3 Jesus speaks His words again through humble faithful followers who through publications, humble prayer and unselfish activity give the bread of life and waters of salvation, their simplicity leading others to seek the source of their power; Christ continues to offer salvation through followers whose words carry truth as it is in Jesus, with disciples receiving from Him to give to those longing for help.Ms 55, 1908, par. 7+2

Christ abiding in the soul as a living fountain gives a constant inner supply so a minister whose mind is disciplined and stored with Christ's lessons can draw at any time and in any emergency to feed God's church.Ms 19, 1890, par. 6 Ministers who store Christ's lessons in their minds can draw on them to nourish the church, for Christ abiding within is a living source continually springing up to everlasting life.STOM 7.2 The water of life is a gift from Christ, and those who drink it are to share His words, which are spirit and life, with those around them, with personal communion and dependence giving power to shine in darkness and win souls.Ms 18, 1895, par. 27

Spiritual life reveals itself in action and flows from a living heart through prayer and speech, glorifying God, and sanctifying truth as a living spring brings good from the heart without careless or harmful speech.Lt 212, 1900, par. 22–23+1 What is freely received must be freely imparted to others instead of withdrawing into seclusion for fear of contamination, for the water refreshes, warms and invigorates the soul with truth, producing communication that helps and blesses associates as a savor of life unto life.Ms 77, 1897, par. 23–24 Those who have drunk deeply are able to be workers through whom souls are saved, having an inward living source leading to everlasting life.Lt 98a, 1897, par. 43–44

Earthly blessings however great or numerous can never satisfy the mind or cleanse the soul, and the world's pleasures and other sources cannot satisfy or heal the thirsty soul. Lt 40, 1896, par. 7–8+1 The water of life satisfies every want and is given to the truly penitent who receive the Word of God as thirsty men receive water. Ms 27, 1900, par. 9–11 As bread is to the hungry and water is to the thirsty, so the Word of God with its revelation of grace, Spirit and teaching is to those who love Him, refreshing them and becoming spiritual power within them. Lt 40, 1896, par. 7–8+1

Unlike outward pleasures and earthly things, Christ is an inexhaustible fountain of divine grace that purifies, refreshes and strengthens the soul, springs up into everlasting life, and is sufficient for every need. DA 187.1–4+1 The passing pleasure of outward festivity cannot meet the spirit's needs, for the water satisfies the soul's thirst for what does not perish and becomes an inward well. 1RED 91.2–3+1 Receiving His love does not end desire for Him but awakens continual longing for more of Christ, while worldly riches, honors and pleasures lose their appeal. DA 187.1–4

Earthly things sought for happiness, such as a certain salary or other favors, never satisfy, because hunger and thirst increase even as desires are granted and leave people still crying for more. ST Jun 19, 1893 In contrast to Jacob's well water that leaves drinkers thirsting again, what He gives ends thirst permanently, becomes an inward source leading to eternal life, and is Christ Himself, the one gift God desires to bestow, so that he who partakes never hungers and never thirsts. ST Jun 19, 1893 Pomp, riches, honor, worldly things, human praise and outward pleasures cannot satisfy the soul's thirst for what does not perish, which His love alone meets by becoming a spring to everlasting life within those who come. 2SP 345.2–346.1+2

This unfailing water is contrasted with broken cisterns that cannot hold water, with empty sources that cannot sustain, with turbid streams of human ideas and opinions from the valley, and with Jacob's well water which is of far lesser value than the fountain of living waters. 7T 150.1–2+3 Drinking the water of life proceeding from the throne of God and of the Lamb is the opposite of drinking those turbid streams, and one who has this well within has learned from Him who is mighty in wisdom and counsel, no longer puts implicit confidence in human authors, and receives vivid impressions from the Word of life to give to others. Lt 8a, 1890, par. 9–13 A passing taste of religious excitement is not drinking, for those lacking real hunger for righteousness turn instead to unsatisfying pleasures like broken cisterns that hold no water. Ms 70, 1894, par. 6–7

Christ prepared at immense cost a heavenly fountain to satisfy a thirst that human ambition and human invention cannot satisfy. Lt 335, 1905, par. 10 Those long in the truth, who have had line upon line and precept upon precept for fifty years, should drink from that fountain and not try to be satisfied from broken cisterns which can hold no water. Lt 335, 1905, par. 10 Drinking is humbling the heart in prayer while earth is still our habitation, as Daniel did with unfeigned lips, and sincerely seeking traits of character that honor God and doing Christ's works, which gives a part in the earth made new. Lt 335, 1905, par. 10

Those who receive the living water no longer seek fulfillment in frivolous, sensual or exciting amusements, for Christ the wellspring of life brings relief from spiritual weariness, loneliness and dissatisfaction with satisfying joy and vigor to mind and body. RP 35.4–36.1+1 The believer can draw continually from this inexhaustible source of spiritual life and happiness without exhausting it, and true Christian happiness does not depend on constant excitement or invented amusements. 1T 565.2 The ennobling principles of religion strengthen the mental powers and destroy taste for such gratifications. STB 862.1–2+1

A round of amusements like those that have been the curse of lives cannot take Christ's place as the living Fountain who alone satisfies the hungry, thirsty soul, and as long as the soul partakes of those unsatisfying pleasures it will continue to hunger and thirst. CH 243.2 Those who drink the living water He gives will thirst no more for frivolous, sensual, exciting amusements. CH 243.2 When Christ abides in the heart He fills it with joy and peace, and meditating on salvation, pardon and everlasting righteousness leaves no desire for questionable excitement or amusement. MYP 389.2–390.1

The soul without this soul-thirst that turns to pleasures that cannot satisfy shows lack of genuine hunger for righteousness and the waters of life, not merely temporary religious excitement or pleasant feelings. Lt 14, 1885, par. 38–39 Without Christ people remain spiritually hungry and thirsty no matter how much wealth they possess, and souls are perishing without the water of salvation bringing everlasting life. Ms 105, 1894, par. 13+1

The Lord longs for people to drink His life-giving spiritual water leading to everlasting life instead of the murky water of the valley, the muddy turbulent streams of earth, or spiritually turbid streams. Lt 49, 1901, par. 1+2 Drinking the pure fountain means true communion with God under the molding Holy Spirit, which takes away relish for what is low and commonplace and for transient delights and indulgence and gives preference for better things, so one who has drunk takes no delight in those muddy streams. Lt 131, 1904, par. 19 The soul's experience depends on what it drinks: turning from Christ the living spring to turbid streams brings a dim experience, while drinking the water of life brings a bright one, and world-lovers obtain only temporal artificial satisfaction, so selling heaven's hope for so slight a reward leaves a person deemed unworthy of the life that measures with the life of God. Lt 131, 1904, par. 19+1 The living water also quenches the thirst for one's own wisdom to be regarded as superior. Lt 116, 1901, par. 5–7

The same unfailing water is described in Isaiah 58:11, and as Christ gives this life-giving water the believer's associates are refreshed by its softening, subduing influence so that His presence cannot remain unrevealed, a life cultivated by continually learning of Jesus rather than by vanity, self-exaltation, or acting as though there is no hope.Ms 6, 1893, par. 3–4 Jacob's well serves as a parable for Christ, the Fountain of Life, whose offer extends to people throughout time.Ms 72, 1895, par. 25–26 The water flowing from the rock struck in the wilderness symbolized Christ, who would be struck in death so that life could flow to the world.Ms 60, 1902, par. 43–44

The rock Moses was told to speak to represented Christ, the living Rock who was to be smitten once for humanity, and to receive the living water people must speak to Christ, with those who ask receiving it.Ms 69, 1912, par. 19 Jesus gives living water to those who come in thirst, pictured as the water from the rock during Israel's desert journey, and the water of life flows from Jesus Christ as the living Rock, smitten by death so that living streams flow to all who thirst.18MR 89.1–3+1 The water that flowed from Jesus' pierced side represents this life-giving gift obtained from Him that gives life to the believer.SG1 102.2

The cross of Calvary is a well of this living water to every believer, and the life-giving gift that becomes a well within believers continually springing up is pledged to every believer by the cross.Ms 61, 1894, par. 1–2+1 The water ceremony recalling the wilderness rock pointed to Christ, the rock represents Christ, the water flowing from it points to the life He gives, and His words were the water of life, with the water of life as Christ's words and salvation flowing to the world through His death symbolized by the rock smitten in the wilderness, in contrast to ceremonies and worldly pleasures that cannot satisfy.ST Jun 3, 1886+4 The gift looks forward to the Day of Pentecost when the Holy Ghost should descend, which is not the result of human labor but builds on seeds of truth sown by patriarchs, prophets and holy men.ST Feb 20, 1912

The water is traced like a stream by the living green it produces, seen in deeds of mercy marking Christ's pathway where health sprang up, happiness followed, the blind and deaf rejoiced, and His words opened a fountain of life to the ignorant with abundant continuous eternal treasures.CH 531.1 The searching truths of God's Word are like cool refreshing streams to thirsty souls, and longing for the water is expressed as deep thirst and panting for God.HMW 29.1+1 Truths of Scripture presented as gospel seed can take root in mind and heart and spring up to eternal life.PK 73.3–74.1 Drinking from the fountain is connected with knowing God and Jesus Christ, which is eternal life, shown by reflecting their character and making them known, and by being changed to reflect God's mercy, with the life to be accompanied by diligent use of entrusted talents, self-denial and cross-bearing.Ms 82, 1896, par. 6+2

Pure spiritual life comes by drinking deeply under the working of the Holy Spirit, and this drinking is necessary for editors of periodicals, Sabbath school teachers, conference presidents, and all householders who must give meat in due season, so they can discern their own necessities and the wants of the people and give real solid spiritual food with strength for the churches instead of common matter, though many have not felt their need of it and though they think they understand and drink their work shows little evidence of it.Lt 89, 1899, par. 3–5 Those who would lead souls seeking truth must first talk with God in prayer, hide self in Jesus, and receive the Holy Spirit so they can be worked by the Spirit and then speak in power, for their work is solemn and sacred among souls in the valley of decision and is done not by human might or working of self but by the Spirit, with gentle dealing, spiritual tenderness, and words dipped in heavenly oil to melt convicted hearts, giving a life that measures with the life of God.Lt 200, 1899, par. 7–9 Workers need to drink deeply from the pure life-giving stream Christ offers, and for laborers this means coming to Christ in faith to be fitted for the great work, receiving blessing and help and strength from Him as the great Source and coming up to high privilege, since the good He has in store is present and can be missed so present opportunities must be used with greater faith.7T 152.2+1 It is a promise of spiritual refreshment and strength that laborers may receive by coming to Christ and exercising faith.Lt 23, 1885, par. 37–38

The living fountain must first be drunk by the minister himself if he would firmly and intelligently lead others to that fountain, and he must himself be perfect in order to present those for whom he labors perfect in Christ.HSFM 119.4 No teacher of himself can gain such access to hearts as was accomplished by Luther, Melancthon, Wesley, Whitefield, and other great reformers, but God must speak through him so men feel a superior power and yield, for divine power alone reaches and melts the sinner's heart and brings him penitent to Christ.HSFM 119.4 Workers who do not receive this life, with Christ dwelling in them as a well leading to everlasting life, cannot refresh or bless others.STM2 18.1+3 Those who lead others to the fountain must first receive its life for themselves by personal lived experience and undying love, for hearing solemn truths or having only a religion of the head is not enough, and ministers who lack that experience cannot guide souls to a Fountain they do not know.4T 442.1+2

Ministers need time to receive this nourishment from God and His Word rather than be exhausted by worldly duties, for the water is continuing spiritual refreshment and consolation welling up into everlasting life.GW 271.2+1 Those who teach others should be a wellspring to them through vital connection with God, because Christ in them is that well of water, with life and light imparted through the grace of the Holy Spirit and the soul longing earnestly for God and holiness, while Jesus intercedes in heaven and the Spirit works within.Lt 11b, 1892, par. 9–11+1 Only those who are doers of the Word and connected to the Source with living streams flowing from Him can be safe teachers, each soul forming a personal connection to receive the water of life, and sinners must hear the last message of mercy to a fallen world so they may be warned and turn from sin to the living God and taste that the Lord is good.Lt 56, 1898, par. 12

The water must be received inwardly with Jesus dwelling as a well springing up into everlasting life, and those who preach God's Word need to drink this pure water and be refreshed by it for themselves.Ms 34, 1892, par. 45+2 Without Jesus living in them as this well, without sitting at His feet and learning with will fully surrendered to God's will, childlike trust believing every word God speaks, and simplicity of true godliness, they miss what they might receive and fail to fulfill Christ's prayer for them.Ms 34, 1892, par. 45+2 With that living presence inside, a person will not put implicit confidence in the ideas and opinions of human authors but will know he has learned from One mighty in wisdom and counsel, receiving vivid and forcible impressions from the Word of life with ideas that are not stale, fitted to deal with human minds as Christ would have him.20MR 95.1–2

When a gospel worker has himself drunk the living water, he can give that water to thirsty souls and feed hungry souls even without thorough education, for one who has taken Christ into his inner life can feed others, and though he may fall into errors of grammar and pronunciation and lack eloquent expressions and beautiful imagery, hearers will receive God's message of grace, thank God for it, and forgive and forget his defects rather than grow weary.FE 242.3–243.1 This spiritual nourishment matters more than polished speech, and hearers value the message of grace so faults of grammar or pronunciation are forgiven and forgotten.CE 142.2–143.1+1 Disciplining the mind to comprehend the most solemn message ever given through concentrated study of redemption, a wonderful theme whose depth will never be fully explored and can never be exhausted, is a way of going to the fountain for oneself and drinking deep of salvation.CE 119.2

Christ gives living water from the Fountain of life that must be drunk deeply to exert saving influence in teaching truth, and drinking deeper cures restlessness of mind, keeps harmony with brethren, and guards against mistaking a new phase of error for new light.14MR 180.1–3 The water must be received within so that Christ dwells there and brings everlasting life, for those who lack this spiritual life cannot refresh or bless others, and sacred work cannot be done rightly through reliance on human ability alone, since spiritual things are spiritually discerned and workers serving souls need Christ's wisdom and love rather than self-reliance.10MR 66.3–67.1+1 Those who thirst receive living water to share with others, but unless their own souls are quickened by the Lord's life and Spirit their words become dry and uninteresting, which warns believers to keep spiritual life from drying up.10MR 129.1–130.1 The water is drawn from the wells of salvation, and a soul that daily receives it has Jesus within and everlasting life, while without drinking preaching is dry and does not feed people, though His grace and love soften the heart and remove cold formal barriers.Lt 40, 1879, par. 1–5

Receiving the water is a personal experience, and teachers and Christ's ambassadors must themselves drink it and gain personal experience of dependence on Him before they can teach true Bible religion or guide others to Him, for those who would refresh others with the message of salvation must themselves drink of this living water.Ms 78, 1896, par. 4+2 Teachers and Sabbath school superintendents and teachers must drink deeply of the water of salvation themselves daily, so they can lead children and youth to Jesus and so that Christ's love and life flow through their words and service.ST Aug 13, 1885+2 Heavenly wisdom to lead the youth to the fountain comes when teachers are thorough in the sciences and advanced in spiritual understanding, aiming at the highest attainments for doing others good, with knowledge harmoniously blended with Christlike character, making them truly a light to the world and fitting them to do appointed work steadily, firmly, understandingly with mind trained to effectual labor.CE 51.1–52.1 Christ within as a well springing up to everlasting life is the source of this life, and youth are urged to let it shape character and purify souls.Lt 2, 1895, par. 22–24

Diligent students can hear and appreciate Christ's words when temperance and clear-mindedness keep them from being clouded by tobacco or intoxicating drink.Lt 70, 1893, par. 14–16 What is received as water of life enters the heart and becomes an inward lasting influence, so in education the things young people receive can become their own principles and shape their experience.Ms 174, 1897, par. 104 The bread and water of life are what children need first, because through them they learn the way to life and happiness.Ms 5, 1896, par. 11–13 Drinking the waters from the wellsprings of life with eating the Word keeps the soul refreshed and makes a wife a co-laborer with Christ in saving souls, keeping abreast of her husband in cultivating mind and heart, standing equal in knowledge of God's Word and obedience to all its requirements, learning daily at Jesus' feet with sanctified heart, speaking words free from envy and jealousy, and strengthening her husband for highest service instead of becoming a helpless burden demanding attention.14MR 307.2

In an unhappy marriage a person should center affections on God and receive the life-giving water within rather than expect the spouse to meet every expectation, for the water becomes a source within springing up into everlasting life and is available to both husband and wife if she chooses to yield and come to Christ.13MR 141.1+1 In the face of disappointment and unhappiness in marriage, a person should center affections upon God and receive this life-giving water which satisfies the soul and becomes a spring leading to everlasting life.Lt 76, 1894, par. 11 The verse is a call to physicians to lead suffering people who are in spiritual darkness to Christ and to the truth, offering them the life only He can give, since those who come and drink receive life springing up within into everlasting life.Ms 2, 1885, par. 6–10

Sanitariums are to help lead thirsting souls to this living water that meets the thirst of the soul and leads to everlasting life, for sanitarium work is meant to guide people to this water, and Christ has provided this life-giving provision for all who hunger and thirst so those in the Office are called to respond to His light and messages of warning and love.YGBCOEP 55.1+4 Leading thirsting sick souls to that water is the purpose for establishing sanitariums, not expensive mammoth buildings but many small homelike institutions in pleasant places that shine as lights in a dark place, where workers reflect the sunlight of Christ's face and remain as salt that has not lost its savor, so that by properly conducted work the influence of true pure religion is extended to many souls.CH 213.3–4 Thirsting souls need to be led to the living water so they can be won, through sanitariums that are to be small homelike institutions out of the city rather than massive buildings in the city, with work possibly started in a rented building in the city while a suitable place outside is sought, and many small sanitariums established as lights to reach the sick.Lt 17, 1905, par. 17–18

The water of life becomes an inward source leading to everlasting life and is offered to rich and poor, high and low alike through sanitariums established at much expense to cure bodies, where people receive spiritual instruction with physical care and the springing water with the bread from heaven to save souls.CH 502.3+1 People in the darkness of error who are calling and praying for light are hungering and thirsting for that water of salvation together with the bread of life, and God's appointed way is to set men and women at work to carry truth to them, where even one twentieth of means spent on the lowest degraded class, used where it should have been, would have reached them.1MR 233.3–235.2 People need the water of salvation for eternal life, a need calling for preaching that leads to practical godliness and holiness of heart, and helping poor families with necessities such as food, tent shelter, and travel fare can open the way for them to receive this life-giving message.Ms 20, 1891, par. 26–27+1

The water of salvation, the precious truth made efficacious by the Holy Spirit alone for which souls starve and thirst as for bread, is to be given in camp meetings by setting souls to work for others with short discourses right to the point and earnest prayers offered in faith, and by decided personal labor and prayer for souls ready to die, which brings life and vitality into the meetings and brings ministering angels beside the worker.Lt 157, 1899, par. 10 The water of life is for everyone who thirsts, and those set apart at baptism to do healing missionary work must receive His word and give it without delay to hungry and thirsty souls in large cities like Brooklyn and New York, not passing by the wealthy but bringing them God's message and call to repentance.Ms 180, 1901, par. 9–10 Heeding and obeying this lesson brings greater power to the church as believers use their abilities and let their light shine, while God provides strength through Christ to those who follow His word and separate from the world to resist degrading influences and develop noble, good, uplifting qualities.ST Dec 9, 1886+1

Receiving this water calls for personal communion with God and dependence on His strength, so believers can shine in darkness and win souls, and those who drink it are to share Christ's words since His words are spirit and life.Ms 18, 1895, par. 27 Drinking from the water of life requires standing firm and separating from the world, and it fills the heart with love and tender compassion in the spirit of Christ, so those who drink hold the banner of truth firmly and are made able to refresh thirsty souls with truth concerning salvation.Lt 6, 1898, par. 13–14 Drinking deeply equips believers to share peace, comfort, and hope, for the living water satisfies thirst and becomes a continuing inward source leading to everlasting life, and those who would bring hope and faith to wounded and discouraged people must first draw from Christ the Fountain of living truth.Ms 78, 1894, par. 8–9+2

The promise applies to the need for daily conversion, so a person can become a vessel fit to teach others, since Christ satisfies the soul's deepest needs by giving inner spiritual life springing up into everlasting life.Lt 44, 1907, par. 22–24 The desire for the water is expressed as longing for richer and deeper draughts, fulfilled by daily drinking from the living fountain so that receivers no longer hunger or thirst for fame or human esteem but partake of Christ and are filled, a call for a minister to drink more deeply each day.Ms 29a, 1890, par. 14–18+2 Christ gives the water of salvation to those thirsty for a healthy faith, and drinking it ends spiritual thirst and brings a soul out of darkness into gospel light, giving saving grace received with rejoicing and with peace and hope and joy that remains even in death, the salvation of one soul being worth more than the riches of the whole world.Ms 144, 1905, par. 1–3

Eating God's Word and drinking its waters, laying aside selfish worldly principles and enjoyment, realizing the worth of souls Christ died for, living up to profession, and purifying the soul by obeying truth belong to truly hungering for this water with the bread of life, instead of degrading faith, refusing light, selling the soul for nothing, and gaining the world while losing the soul.20MR 151.5+1 Receiving means hungering after righteousness, seeking Christ within, and being purified, sanctified and transformed, with peace and joy, while feeding on Christ's words brings greater spirituality and less sentimental craving for human attention, and those who receive purify their souls by obeying the truth.CH 242.1–2+3 Truth received and obeyed continually refreshes and satisfies the soul, revives it with grace, and shapes life according to heaven's principles and promises, and the Word appreciated, searched, compared, meditated on, received and obeyed becomes an inner source of everlasting life that gives greater hunger for Christ than for papers and novels, brings refreshing showers of grace that take away weariness, and strengthens and encourages like a fresh running stream.ST Oct 10, 1906+1