Devotional: Revelations 21:6

“I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To the thirsty I will give water without cost from the spring of the water of life.” Revelations 21:6 NIV 

In modern times there are few instances I can think of where we can receive items without cost. Maybe at a restaurant we can get a free glass of water. At a market showcase we can get free samples of food or a beverage, oftentimes in the grocery store we can receive a food sample. These things technically cost the consumer nothing but there is the hope and expectation that the consumer will like the free sample and will pay to consume more of it.

 At the end of Revelations 21:6, we get to a part where God tells John, “To the thirsty I will give water without cost from the spring of the water of life.” To receive the inheritance of God is free, Jesus already paid the price of our sins, but notice there is nothing mentioned in this verse about there being samples available.

We can’t try out a new life with Christ with one foot in the door. We can’t expect to experience God without first becoming His student. We often need to throw ourselves into our studies at school to ace the test. We need to move the wet clothes out of the washing machine so they dry and don’t become stinky. We need to devote ourselves, our minds, this includes our thoughts, our speech, and our behavior to having righteous character. God washes us clean from our sins but if we don’t continue to seek Him and glorify Him with our actions, then we will remain like wet clothes and become stinky. If we aren’t pursuing God, then we are allowing ourselves to become idle and vulnerable to temptation and sin. Instead of radiating God’s beauty and generous nature, we are like a window seal with a crack in it. We become vulnerable to moisture, in the spiritual sense, vulnerable to sin. We need to then pursue God to seal that crack.

When I re-read this verse I am understanding .. .  . “It is free.” If you recognize you are thirsty, I will take care of you. I feel God is emphasizing the free nature of inheriting the kingdom of God. He will rescue us from death, if we accept His offer. It is free, no strings attached, no payment needed.

One of the attributes that draws me to God is His generous love. “I will give water without cost.”  You want a house; the bank might give you a loan. You want that flower to plant in your front yard, it’s going to cost money. Our salvation, costs nothing to us! God says He will prepare a place for us in Heaven, there is no mention of cost of rent, there is no monthly mortgage payment, just that if we love Him and accept Him that we will get to live there.  Can you think of a better deal? Free boarding at the most beautiful place ever? I accept!

Questions for Discussion

Where do you stand in your relationship with God? Have you accepted His offer of salvation?

Have you accepted the offer of salvation but not pursued God’s purpose further? In what ways do you find yourself stepping off track?

What things have you found help keep your mind on Christ and pursuing His purpose?

In what ways can we be more like Christ and give generously expecting nothing in return?