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.