“Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap. 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. Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary.”
Galatians 6:7-9 (NAU)
I am certain that you are familiar with the Golden Rule: Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. Our treatment of others is the seed we plant in the field of life. Just as the farmer expects to reap what he has planted, we also may expect to reap what we have planted in the field of life. It reminds us to conduct ourselves properly toward others. It reminds us to review our motives.
This is why Paul wrote the Galatians about their sowing and reaping. The scientific world refers to it as “cause and effect.” Paul applies it to the believer’s spiritual life. If what we sow is motivated by the lusts of the flesh, we will reap a spiritually corrupted harvest. Paul is concerned about the spiritual growth and maturity of the Galatians. They have two choices: sow carnal, earthly seed or sow spiritual, heavenly seed. If, they choose the seed of the Holy Spirit, then spiritual growth, maturity, and eternal life will be their spiritual harvest.
Personal motivation cannot be hid from God. We only deceive ourselves and mock God when we try to cover it up. It doesn’t matter how we spin it, if our sowing is fleshly motivated, then we will only reap that which decays and perishes. But, if the Spirit motivates our sowing, then we will reap that which endures to eternal life. So, if we won’t grow weary from the inconsistencies in this life, and will continue to sow good seed in our lives, we will reap the equivalent blessing at the proper time. Someone has said, “All the flowers of all the tomorrows are in the seed of today.” I certainly want a beautiful garden in my tomorrows. Don’t you?
Dear Father, thank you for sowing grace and mercy in our lives. Forgive us our selfish motives and deliver us from evil. Grant that we may correctly understand the biblical principle of sowing and reaping. Empower us to sow out of Spirit-directed motivation. Bless us with your riches from glory. This I pray in Jesus’ name. AMEN
Let us praise God for his seed and live to reap eternal life,