Filled Up to Pour Out
Apr 22 2025 -
“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:16
The work of the Spirit in producing fruit in us is never meant to be kept to ourselves. The Lord does not pour His oil into a vessel that it may remain full and stagnant, but that it may be poured out to others. Some imagine the Spirit’s filling is for personal satisfaction alone—a quiet comfort, peace in a storm, joy abounding. And indeed, all of these are found in the Lord’s presence in us! But, when the Lord fills a soul, He means for it to overflow into the lives of others. What God gives, He means to be shared. When He fills us with His love, we are to love others. When He grants us peace, we are to become peacemakers. When He fills us with joy, we are to be a source of joy. This is the divine design: we are filled up to pour out.
The Apostle John declares, “Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another” (1 John 4:11). When the Spirit of God shares His love in our hearts, it is not to be hoarded but to be given. See the example of Christ! He did not sit in heaven and enjoy the love of the Father and Spirit alone, but He came down that the love He received in the Trinity might be shared with us. The love of God is not meant to be a still pond but a flowing river.
The Lord Jesus declared, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God” (Matthew 5:9). How greatly the world needs those who bring peace! The peace of God is a peace that passes understanding. And this peace cannot be extended unless it is first received. Those who are filled with God’s peace must be instruments of peace. Consider the example given in Philippians 4:2-3. The Apostle Paul exhorted, “I implore Euodia and I implore Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord.” Here were two faithful women in the church, yet discord had crept between them. Paul did not ignore the conflict; he urged them to peace. And note how he addressed the church, calling others to assist in restoring harmony! When you see bitterness taking root in yourself or in those around you, let the peace that God has poured into you overflow onto those around you.
Nehemiah declared, “The joy of the Lord is your strength” (Nehemiah 8:10). When the Spirit fills you with joy, it is not for self-indulgence but for the encouragement of others. How often do we meet those who are cast down, whose hearts are heavy with burdens? We, who have tasted the sweetness of God’s joy, must share it with them. A word of cheer, a song of praise, a testimony of God’s goodness—these are the means by which our joy may strengthen the weary. A gloomy Christian is a poor testimony, but a joyful Christian is a light in the darkness. If Christ has filled you with His joy, let it shine forth! Do not bury it beneath selfishness, but pour it out in encouragement, thanksgiving, and praise.
“Freely you have received, freely give” (Matthew 10:8). The Lord does not fill us with His fruit that we might remain full; He fills us that we might overflow.