Morning, June 13
Go To Evening Reading
“Whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.”
Revelation 22:17
Jesus says, “take freely.” He wants no payment or preparation. He seeks no recommendation from
our virtuous emotions. If you have no good feelings, if you be but
willing, you are invited; therefore come! You have no belief and no
repentance,—come to him, and he will give them to you. Come just as you are, and
take “Freely,” without money and without price. He gives himself to needy ones.
The drinking fountains at the corners of our streets are valuable
institutions; and we can hardly imagine any one so foolish as to feel
for his purse, when he stands before one of them, and to cry, “I cannot drink because I have not five pounds in my pocket.” However poor the man is, there is the fountain, and just as he is
he may drink of it. Thirsty passengers, as they go by, whether they
are dressed in fustian or in broadcloth, do not look for any warrant
for drinking; its being there is their warrant for taking its water
freely. The liberality of some good friends has put the refreshing
crystal there and we take it, and ask no questions. Perhaps the only
persons who need go thirsty through the street where there is a drinking
fountain, are the fine ladies and gentlemen who are in their carriages.
They are very thirsty, but cannot think of being so vulgar as to get
out to drink. It would demean them, they think, to drink at a common
drinking fountain: so they ride by with parched lips. Oh, how many
there are who are rich in their own good works and cannot therefore
come to Christ! “I will not be saved,” they say, “in the same way as the harlot or the swearer.” What! go to heaven in the same way as a chimney sweep. Is there no
pathway to glory but the path which led the thief there? I will not
be saved that way. Such proud boasters must remain without the living
water; but, “ Whosoever will, let him TAKE THE WATER OF LIFE FREELY .”