Friday in the Last Week of Ordinary Time

Galatians 6:6-10

Reaping and Sowing

Reaping and sowing.  It’s a law in this life, and certainly in the Christian life as well: “Whatever one sows, that will he also reap.”  There’s no escaping it, and certainly not for the life to come.  It’s really just common sense: If you are a belligerent person, then you won’t have many friends; if you live an immoral life, then you will wind up with a disease; if you keep a filthy house, then people will not want to be your guests, and probably won’t have you over for dinner, either.  On the other hand, if you are a kind and gentle person, then people will be attracted to you; if you live a respectable life, then people will honor you; if you are fair in your dealings with others, then people will want to do business with you; if you show yourself wise, then people will desire your counsel.  It’s really very simple.  This is not to say that wicked people won’t take advantage of good people; it’s simply to say that as a general principle, people live more fulfilling lives who seek to live conscientious and principled lives.

This is carried to the nth degree in the spiritual world.  There is a reason why the Scriptures tell us that we will be judged according to our works (Matthew 16:27; 1 Peter 1:17), and we must assume the reason is, well…because we will be.  So judgment must begin with the household of God (1 Peter 4:17).  It’s a sobering thought.  Thus, Paul says, “For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.”  And why is this? Because God will not be mocked; He will not allow anyone to spurn His Son or “profane the blood of the covenant” (Hebrews 10:29).  And this is exactly what one does when one sows to the flesh, the believer or the unbeliever.

But let us not fear coming judgment; let us instead be about sowing to the Spirit, then we shall have nothing to fear.  It is God’s good pleasure to give us the kingdom (Luke 12:32).  Let us therefore keep our eye on Him.  What harm can happen to us?  Who can be against us?  What possession do we have that is greater than Him which may be taken away from us?  What greater love can we ever hope to find?  Is He not worth everything?  Is the eternal not worth more than the temporal?  “One thing have I asked of the Lord, that will I seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord, and to inquire in His temple” (Psalm 27:4).  Let this “beatific (blessed) vision” help you to shun anything that sows not to the Spirit; indeed, let the vision of Christ on the cross fill you with undying love for Him.

Author: The Reformed Baptist

My name is Stephen Taylor, ordained Baptist minister of eighteen years pastoral experience with a Ph.D. in Historical Theology from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas. Better than that, I am married to a godly woman, Karla, who has been very patient with me since 1989. I have two daughters, both of whom I homeschooled for extended periods of time, who became godly young women, and who ran off and married godly young men, all of which is very proper. The oldest daughter has even seen fit to bless me with a grandson and a granddaughter, and my youngest daughter with a grandson, all three of whom are bundles of exceeding joy. As you can see, I am quite blessed. This website is dedicated to helping people grow in the wisdom and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ through the gift of writing that the Lord has given to me. It is specifically about helping His people grow in godliness, the theme you see repeated above. I write devotions with this aim and hope that they might be of some help to God’s people. Full disclosure: I am of a Reformed bent, meaning that my understanding of Scripture is primarily informed by the Reformers and their successors of the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. However, as a student of church history and theology, I strive to remain true to that teaching handed down once for all unto the saints through every age of the Church. I like to think of myself as a “catholic” Christian, as the Reformers thought of themselves. At any rate, feel free to read, pray, and contact me if you wish, or correct me if need be. As you can see, I tend to follow the church year. Of course, I make no special claims about these devotions. I know very well that others have written better and plumbed the depths of God’s word with greater insight. But if my musings help someone draw closer to the Lord, well then, I have my reward. Blessings to you and may the God and Father of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ speak to you that word which He knows you especially need to hear. Grace & peace, Stephen Taylor

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