Two Seas Compared
by Jeff Fogel
High in the mountains of northern Israel are a number of mountain springs that flow fresh and clean from deep within the earth. These springs form streams and flow together to form the Jordan River. The Jordan River flows south to a body of water know as the Sea of Galilee. The south end of the Seal of Galilee, again, becomes the Jordan and flows for fifty to sixty miles to another body of water. However, this body of water is quite different from the Sea of Galilee. There is no outlet for water flow and no life dwells within her depths. The taste of the water is bitter and it thirty percent mineral content. This body of water is known as the Dead Sea. It is the lowest point on the earth at approximately 1300 feet below sea level.
These two bodies of water are often used to compare what types of individuals we are. For example, in the song book entitled "Sacred Selections for the Church" by Ellis Crum, there is a song titled, "There is a Sea." The first verse of this song describes the Sea of Galilee, the second describes the Dead Sea, and the third asks us a question: "Which shall it be for you and me, Who God's good gifts obtain?" Then the song describes Christ, what he has done for us and what he left, for a time, in order to give himself for us.
There are four major subjects that can be addressed when comparing the Sea of Galilee and the Dead Sea. They are purity, ability to hold life, deception, and the ability to receive and give.
The Sea of Galilee is a pure body of water, while the Dead Sea is very much impure. Jesus taught in Matt. 5:8, "Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God." Both bodies of water have the opportunity to receive from a pure source, and that is the mountain springs. We, as Christians, also have the opportunity to receive from a pure source which is the living water offered to us by Christ. John 4:14 mentions, "But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life." To maintain purity in our lives, we must continue to drink from this pure source that Christ offers us. This requires a study of God's word, devotion to prayer, spending time in fellowship one with another, and, most important, being cleansed by the blood of Christ. Purity also requires that we share our abundance, whether physical or spiritual, with others who are in need.
Deception is another major topic when describing both seas. If I fill two bottles with water, one from the Sea of Galilee and the other from the Dead Sea, could you tell the difference just by looking at them? The answer is no. To tell the difference between the two, you must take a drink from both bottles. Only then can you tell there is a difference. Water from the Dead Sea is deceptive. Even though the water looks clear and pure, its taste is bitter. Satan is also deceptive in how he appears. II Corinthians 11:14 mentions, "And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light." This should be no surprise since Satan is the "Father of all lies." The Devil's weapons, temptations leading us to sin, are also deceptive. Actions that are sin look enjoyable, but the end result is sorrow and bitterness. The story of David and Bathsheba portrays this well in II Samuel chapter 11.
While the Sea of Galilee is able to support an abundance of life, such as fish and other creatures, the Dead Sea cannot support life. This is true with mankind. When man chooses to walk in darkness instead of the light, God cannot dwell within, for God is light. In order for life to dwell in man, he must "walk in the light," then he can have fellowship with Christ and his saints. "This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness we lie, and do not the truth: but if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin" (I John 1:5-7).
Both seas are able to receive; unfortunately, one fails to give. The Dead Sea gives nothing of what it receives from the mountain springs. What are we doing with what God has given to us? Do we share with others or do we keep everything for ourselves? How said it is when we continue to receive blessings from God and yet give nothing back, not even a "Thank you"! God sends the sun and rain on the just and unjust. Do we give thanks to God for this? God have his only Son for our sins so we would not have to die spiritually; yet, how many of the world's people have obeyed the gospel, let alone give thanks for the sacrifice God was will to make? God also frowns on people whose desire is to hoard possessions and not share with others. Jesus mentions in Matt. 6:19, 20 not to "lay up treasures for yourselves on earth where moth and rust doth corrupt and where thieves break through and steal." We are supposed to be laying up treasures in Heaven. One way we can do this is by receiving from God and sharing with others while here on earth. Jesus even told one young man in Matt. 19:21 to, "Go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me."
Although the Dead Sea fails to give to other sources (and if it did, it would give nothing but bitterness), it still receives the fresh abundant resource from the wells of God deep in the earth. Unfortunately, this pure water turns bitter once it dumps into the Dead Sea. Regardless, the Dead Sea could never receive from the mountain springs of north Israel unless the water from these springs first passed through the Sea of Galilee. The people of the world cannot receive the gospel unless it comes through us as Christians. They must first notice the abundance of God's mercy, grace, and love which dwells within us. They must also know that our conduct is such that we are what we claim to be. Then the world will desire, perhaps, to obey the gospel of Christ.
"We are the only Bible the careless world will read." Let us portray the gospel in its pure form, even if the world turns God's abundance sour in their lives. The only return we may get from the world is bitterness and hate, but we must continue to share God's abundance with others. Although the Dead Sea will never be pure, perhaps the lives of sinners will be made pure by the abundance they receive from us as Christians.
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