Ancient Quotes

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Bottled at Source

“Bottled at Source’ is the proud statement printed on the bottle of spring water I hold in my hand. The rest of the message emphasises how this water contains no additives or contaminants, but only the natural goodness found at the source - the unpolluted origin. The message is clear: the further from the source, the greater the potential for contamination; the closer to the source, the purer.

This is the same idea Paul had about the message he preached. “Now I want you to know, brothers, that the gospel preached by me is not based on a human point of view. For I did not receive it from a human source and I was not taught it, but it came by a revelation of Jesus Christ.” Galatians 1:11,12

The first chapter of this letter and much of the second is focused on this concept that no human taught him this message, neither was it the product of his own scholastic efforts. Rather, this message was initiated and communicated by God directly - he received it from the source … unpolluted, original, authoritative, pure. This gospel is not subject to human interpretation, translation or misrepresentation.

He goes through great lengths to explain that he had no prolonged contact with any of the recognized leaders - in summary: “But from those recognized as important (what they really were makes no difference to me; God does not show favoritism )—those recognized as important added nothing to me.” (2:6)

Paul obviously understood the importance of direct, unrestricted contact with the Light of life as apposed to a second-hand religious system that attempts to communicate truth through a man-made hierarchy. Now he undoubtedly thought it important to communicate this message, but the whole purpose of his communication (and mine) was to introduce the listeners to the Source of these truths and not to set himself up as the source of their spiritual understanding. His attitude is portrayed so clearly in this portion of one of his letters: “We’re not in charge of how you live out the faith, looking over your shoulders, suspiciously critical. We’re partners, working alongside you, joyfully expectant. I know that you stand by your own faith, not by ours.” 2 Cor 1:24 MSG

This seems to me a very different approach to that taken by religious institutions. Most of these institutions regard themselves, consciously or unconsciously, as the guardians of truth - desiring to control and mediate between their followers and God. In the process these religious systems have become contaminants of the original message - no longer containing the pure message as derived from the source, but mixed with the additives of human tradition and popular interpretation.

No father desires a relationship with his children to be interfered with through a third party broker - speaking to his children via an interpreter. The Father, your Creator, desires a direct open relationship with you personally. He is confident in the ability He gave you to hear Him and respond .
Jesus, seeing the emptiness of religious festivals and rituals offered a much better alternative. “On the last and most important day of the festival, Jesus stood up and cried out, “If anyone is thirsty, he should come to Me and drink! The one who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, will have streams of living water flow from deep within him.” John 7:37,38