Jesus brought the woman at the well to faith via conviction. He did not tell her “God loves you and has a wonderful plan for your life.” He convicted her of sin and the consequence of sin. He told her God demanded righteousness; that we must worship Him in spirit and in truth.
She did not add Jesus to her life. She did not come to Christ for physical satisfaction or help with her life; this is what she sought while in her sin, when the conversation started. The woman turned from her sin. She understood the water He would give was not physical, earthly refreshment; this was water unto life, eternal life.
When the people came to hear the message of Christ, you can be sure this message was the same message He delivered to the woman and all the other people whom He confronted. The message is this: God is righteous and, without Jesus Christ, we lack righteousness.
Therefore, knowing the fear of the Lord, we persuade others. [2Co 5:11 ESV].
In the modern American gospel, there is no fear of God. Men try to persuade others to add Jesus to their life because God loves them. They tell them God loves them the way they are, to convince them to join them. There is no fear of God; there is no conviction of sin; there is no desire for God’s righteousness.
But the Lord of hosts is exalted in justice, and the Holy God shows Himself holy in righteousness. [Isa 5:16 ESV].
The woman at the well found her righteousness in Christ. She repented; she threw off her sin. Out of her fear of God, she rushed to call others; to bring them out of their sin. Wasn’t this her question? “Meet the man who told me everything I did; who convicted me of my sin. Isn’t He the Messiah?”
Jesus said one sows and another reaps. We speak and sometimes the hearer responds. Sometimes we speak and people respond because others have labored. Sometimes they don’t, but our job is to sow the seed.
The people of Sychar came to the Messiah from the testimony of the woman. This was God’s doing. Upon hearing Christ, they did not give their hearts to Jesus: they believed. They knew; because God gave them understanding (Joh 6:45; 1Jo 5:20; Psa 25:8-9). God opened their hearts to understand (Act 16:14). This was God’s doing.
This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He has sent. [Joh 6:29 ESV].
When we say things like, “I gave my heart to Jesus” or “I made a decision for Christ,” we defame God. We take the glory which belongs to God upon ourselves. Christ died for us while we were yet sinners; while we were powerless to help ourselves and enemies of God (Rom 5:6,8,10). We were slaves to sin (8:34; Rom 6). Who do we think we are to claim we had anything to do with our salvation; that we could even help God bring us or anyone else to Him?
For You have done for us all our works. [Isa 26:12 ESV].
For My own sake, for My own sake, I do it, for how should My name be profaned? My glory I will not give to another. [Isa 48:11 ESV].
When we believe, it is not our own doing. When we receive Christ, even our receiving is of God; it is not through our will, but God’s will (Joh 1:12-13). Jesus said, “the flesh is no help at all.” [Joh 6:63]. When we share in the harvest and see others coming to Christ, it is not our own doing. The salvation of man is for God’s glory.
Lest any man should boast. [Eph 2:9].
the Lord alone will be exalted in that day. [Isa 2:11 ESV].
