GALATIANS (38): Sowing and Reaping (Galatians 6:6-10).

Galatians 6:7 sets forth the general spiritual law of sowing and reaping: "Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap." This applies to sowing financial seed (6:6), and it also applies to every area of our lives. God has built this law into the nature of reality, like Newton's 3rd Law of action and reaction - whatever you put out will come back on you, both good and bad. The Bible speaks of SEED-TIME and HARVEST (Genesis 8:22) abiding forever. Because there is a time-period between sowing and reaping (harvest), when the seed is invisible, it is possible to be deceived into thinking that our words and actions will have no consequences. God warned Adam and Eve that if they sowed sin they would reap death, but satan deceived them by saying: "You will not die." Your harvest is determined by the quality and quantity of your seed (2Corinthians 9:6). As far as our salvation is concerned, Christ has taken the full curse (harvest) of our sin upon Himself, so that in Him we can eternally enjoy His full harvest of righteousness - the blessing that flows from His perfect life of righteousness, which He sowed. However, in our life on this earth, the law of sowing and reaping still applies to us, in every area of life. We discuss the difference between the penalty and consequences of sin. Even when we are forgiven of a sin, it still carries consequences (Luke 15:31), but thank God for His grace which is able to turn things around for good (Romans 8:28). We either sow our seed (thoughts, words, and actions) to (1) the flesh, from which we reap corruption, or to (2) the Spirit, from which we reap a greater level of everlasting life, both now and eternally (6:8). Jesus said everlasting life is knowing God personally (John 17:13), so the more we sow to the Spirit, the greater will be our fellowship with God, and we will possess and enjoy a greater measure of everlasting life. When interpreting the Parable of the Sower, Jesus said to take heed to what we give our attention, for whatever we focus on will increase in us. Therefore, our first priority should be to keep on hearing and doing God's Word, for it will produce much good fruit in our lives (Mark 4:23-25). "With the same measure (of attention) you use, it (fruit) will be measured to you; and to you who hear (the Word), more (blessing) will be given." Sow a thought, and reap an action. Sow an action and reap a habit. sow a habit and reap character, so character and reap a destiny. Since sowing and reaping is a law, that governs the whole of life, we should not grow weary in sowing to the Spirit in our thoughts, words and deeds, for in due season, we shall surely reap a wonderful harvest (6:9). Whenever we obey God, we (1) reap greater holiness in our soul, making us more receptive to His grace, (2) the grace (blessing) of God is released through us resulting in a harvest of righteousness in our life, and most importantly (3) we will reap eternal rewards. Therefore let us keep fulfilling the Law of Christ, doing good to all, especially to those in the family of God (6:10).