Psalm 36:9 For with thee is the fountain of life: in thy light shall we see light.

John 7:38 He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.

We may link the issue of the belly with scriptures related to bowels of compassion. That area is defined in serval biblical encyclopedias as being the seat of choice. In a common context I might refer to it as obedience of faith.

In my Christian youth (babe in Christ) a teacher likened the fountain of live and the rivers of living waters as a hose. The emphasis of that teaching was on obedience of faith and that we control both ends of the hose. One at the source connection, the faucet and the other at the nozzle. This puts us in control of the rate of flow and the recipient of grace.

Allow me to agree on a point of obedience of faith in which God does appreciate our submission and obedience. To a more salient point, since when are we in charge of God’s will? Who declares that we have the power and it is our judgment that is supreme?

Yes our understanding of grace, what it is and how it works is established in relationship with our God thru the scriptures and in truth. Yes, obedience of faith is directed grace. It is a blessing both to the recipient and the giver. It establishing a firm bond of fellowship.

What happens to your emotions, your conscience, if you look at your performance of grace as being within your control? Feelings of disappointment well up inside us at every thought of missed opportunity to be that fountain of grace. We start making opportunities rather than listening to God. They become self-righteous works and God is not in it.