(John 7: 37 – 39)
1. Righteousness and Right Living: In Isa. 64;6 the Bible says “But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousness are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away”. In the eyes of God we are all unrighteous but thank God for Jesus who became sin for us so that we can be made the righteousness of God according to II Cor. 5:21 “For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him”. Living a righteous life will allow the river to flow from our belly.
2. Growth and maturity: Jesus grew in favor and in stature before God and before men (Luke. 2:52). He grew spiritually. We must desire the sincere milk of the word of God which will allow us to grow spiritually (I Peter 2:3). In Gal. 4:1-3, the Bible says an heir is not different from a servant unless he becomes mature. Growth and maturity make us to enjoy our Heavenly father’s wealth.
3. Intimacy with the Almighty God: In I Sam. 2:26, the Bible says “And the child Samuel grew on, and was in favour both with the Lord, and also with men”. Samuel positioned himself correctly and the River flowed into him and through him. Even though Samuel was surrounded ungodly influence in the house of Eli, he refused to be corrupted but rather he purposed in his heart to serve God and walked intimately with Him. Abraham also walked God and he had an intimate relationship with Him; so also was David, Moses, and Enoch. In fact Enoch was translated into heaven without seeing death because of his intimate relationship with God.
4. Service: God saved us to serve. One of the ways we can allow the river to flow is to live a life of service. The Bible said of Samuel in Sam. 3:1 “And the child Samuel ministered unto the Lord before Eli. And the word of the Lord was precious in those days; there was no open vision”. Samuel was devoted to the Lord’s service and he was used mightily of God. We have many other examples of people who lived a life of service both in the Bible days and even now. As we live a life of service, we will open the door for the river to flow.
5. Loyalty: Loyalty allows the river to flow. Loyalty means standing by each other through every situation. Being loyal means we will not betray one another or back-bite or speak evil of one another. Ruth was loyal to Naomi as a friend and the river flowed into her. Our loyalty to one another will allow the river to flow.
6. Walking in Mercy and Truth: In Prov. 3:3. The Bible says “Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart”. We must be willing to show mercy unto others in order for the river to flow. Our God is a merciful God and it is of His mercies we are not consumed.