192. Reap what is Sown
Galatians 6:7-8 Be not deceived: God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, thatshall he also reap.For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.
Everybody knows the principle: you reap what you sow. But most people do not take it seriously or think about the truth and consequences of their decisions and actions. Every farmer knows it. We all know the spiritual principle, but we don’t remember that every spiritual decision has a spiritual consequence. If people really took this warning and promise seriously their behavior would change for the better.
One issue that impacts how we make decisions is that we do not see the consequences of our “sowing.” Since we don’t make the connections between cause and effect God must show us the truth in His Word, so that we might take note and believe it. Both a warning and promise is included in this principle. The warning: sow to the flesh and reap corruption; the promise: sow to the Spirit and reap life everlasting. Every sowing realizes a drastic difference: life or death, heaven or hell. That is serious.
The human cannot make the connection between flesh and corruption and between Spirit and life eternal. Therefore, the Lord tells us in His Word. Our response is to believe the Word and not our own ideas and experience. Even a little sowing to the flesh, or a small sin, will bring about corruption, decay and eternal death. Even a little sowing to the Spirit, faith like a mustard seed, will bring about eternal life. If we reflect on this promise just a little bit it will powerfully influence our choices and behavior. However, the sinful human is like Adam and Eve, blaming someone else for the troubles in our world instead of accepting the guilt. Blaming prevents repentance and faith. Faith in God’s Word says, “It’s my fault.” My sin and guilt needs forgiveness; overlooking and rationalizing excuses and blaming others will never take away the sin and guilt. Repentance says, “I sowed; that’s why I am reaping corruption,” or, “I did not sow, that’s why I am not reaping life.” Believe the conditional promise: if you sow to the Spirit, then you will reap life everlasting. How do you sow to the Spirit? You sow to the Spirit by listening to the Gospel, which plants the seeds of faith and the Holy Spirit.