Who's Your WaterMaker?

Today, to our excitement, we finally installed our Reverse Osmosis (RO) water filtration system. After three years in our current home, the taste of that new, clean, and convenient H2O was heavenly.

After the plumber left, I couldn’t help but notice the manual on the counter. On the cover, it read, “WaterMaker.” “Well,” I thought, “the system is great, but happy as I am, it doesn’t technically make the water.”

And then I thought, of course, of our Water Maker, except He doesn’t just filter stuff out. He gives us something new. Whoever drinks the water He provides will never thirst, and a spring will well up in him into eternal life (Jn. 4:14).

Now think of it this way: Apart from Him we can do nothing (Jn. 15:5). Apart from our real Water Maker, we still smack of the elements of our world and ourselves. Yet what does He do? He purifies our hearts by faith (Ac. 15:9), making for Himself a people “eager to do what is good” (Tit. 2:14). He takes and bears everything corrupt that we may—if we’ve installed the system correctly—offer something pure, clean, and nourishing, because underneath everything, unseen, lies an agent of change.

If I may extend the analogy, I think of our role in changing our filter. The RO will provide and produce clean water yet requires some action on our part to maintain it.

Likewise, we know that what Christ has done is complete. It is finished. At the same time, it would appear that our personal actions can also further or hinder this work of purity. In 2 Corinthians 7:1, Paul declares, “let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God.” James uses the language of needing to purify our hearts as we come near to God to repent (Jas. 4:8). Peter similarly indicates that we purify ourselves as we obey the truth and love our brothers (1 Pet. 1:22), while John writes that confessing our sins leads not only to forgiveness but to God purifying us from all unrighteousness (1 Jn. 1:9). Finally, 1 John 3:3 notes that all who hope in Him purify themselves, “just as he is pure.”

How do we renew and maintain our system, that we may ever produce clean water? The answer is here.

In addition, with RO, just because there is a system installed doesn’t mean it’s working optimally. However, that’s usually the fault of the user, who may need to replace the filter; it’s not the system that needs discarding. If there’s restricted flow or discoloration, perhaps your filter needs attention, and there is a need to reset, a need for holiness, repentance, obedience, love, confession, or hope (see references above).

Whatever the case, let us praise God that we have access to such a Water Maker. They are never cheap, and the version God has purchased for us—the only one that really works—cost Him everything. However, we needn’t feel guilty. We need only be grateful.