Attached to Exhaustible Emphases
Christ is the living fountain—always flowing, never stagnant.
Devotional Credit: In Christ by E. Stanley Jones
Photo Credit: Unsplash
E. Stanley Jones invites us to examine the root of spiritual stagnation: a misplaced focus. Some believers remain babes in Christ—not for lack of exposure to good teaching, but because their faith is tethered to those teachings instead of to Christ Himself. Jones observes that even rich doctrines and noble church movements—when detached from the living Person of Jesus—eventually run dry. Slogans once charged with meaning devolve into hollow catchphrases, defended more for tribal identity than transformative truth.
But when our hearts are anchored directly to Jesus Christ, the inexhaustible begins to unfold. The Spirit takes of what is Christ's and reveals it to us afresh, again and again. We are not meant to live on theological leftovers or reheated movements, but on the living bread that comes down from heaven. Jesus is the never-ending surprise, the ever-deepening revelation. In Him, we are not trapped in circles—we are drawn upward in an ever-expanding life of glory to glory.
The call is clear: grow up into Christ by fastening faith, love, and loyalty on Him alone. Let every system, emphasis, and tradition fall into its proper place—under His feet.
💌 Personalized Journal Entry – Voice of the Holy Spirit Through Scripture
I am not calling you to defend slogans, echo teachings, or camp in the shadows of men. I have called you to Myself. Your life is hidden with Christ in Me, and I am always present, always unfolding more of His fullness in you.
The doctrines you cherish are only fruitful when they lead you deeper into the living Christ. When they become ends in themselves, they become walls instead of windows. I gave you teachers to build you up—but never to replace Me. I placed you in community—but never so you would follow personalities instead of abiding in My Son.
Do not settle for exhausted emphases when I have given you the Inexhaustible One. Fix your eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of your faith. The more you behold Him, the more you are transformed. The more you rest in Him, the more you run with joy. His riches are unsearchable, His love immeasurable, and His glory ever-increasing.
Let Me show you Christ—not just in word, but in life, in intimacy, in daily unfolding wonder. Grow up into Him who is the Head. You are not here to memorize slogans. You are here to be conformed to the image of My Son.
Scriptures referenced: 2 Corinthians 3:18; Colossians 3:1–3; John 16:14; Hebrews 12:2; Ephesians 4:15
🔑 Real-Life Analogy
It’s like drinking from a water fountain versus sipping from a glass left out overnight. The first is fresh, cold, and continually flowing. The second might have once quenched your thirst, but now it’s stale. Many cling to the glass—familiar, once full—but I invite you to come again to the Source.
🙏🏼 Prayer of Confidence
Father, I rejoice that You have not called me to follow teachings about Christ, but Christ Himself. I thank You that in Him are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge, and I have access to this endless unfolding by Your Spirit within me. I rest today in the confidence that I’m not bound to any system or slogan, but to a Savior who never runs dry. In Christ, I will never outgrow wonder. You have fastened my heart to the inexhaustible.