Galatians 6:7-10

"Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall 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.

A rather familiar scene of years ago, as I was growing up, in the spring of the year: people Working in the garden and or field, so they could sow seeds. When one determined what seed was sown, then one KNEW what kind of crop and fruit one would be harvesting later. The principle involved in that area of activity is also involved in the behavior and achievement realm.

A familiar scene, in the arena of life today, is that of people seeking a state of happiness. Certain things are essential to achieve that goal, however. Many of the essentials are often missed. There are incentives presented to achieve that goal. One must desire, plant the seed, and cultivate then and patiently wait till the time of harvest! Contemplate -- all who would find, must understand a principle, experience and be engaged: sowing is prerequisite to harvest, purpose of sowing is to reap.

Be Not Deceived
First in this text, we are told NOT to be deceived. That indicates that there is a Possibility we may be, thus need to be vigilant. In fact there is a danger. Man Needs a standard other than self/men (Jer. 10:23). Matt. 24:11; 1 Pet. 2:14 "And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many." "Having eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin; beguiling unstable souls: an heart they have exercised with covetous practices; cursed children:" So let us understand and be on guard lest we be deceived.

Such Deserves careful Consideration. The old saying, To be forewarned is to be forearmed is a good point to remember! One can see that God has provided us with ammunition!

God Is Not Mocked
The history of people trying to mock God demonstrates that to try is foolish (Matt.2:16-18). When Herod though he could get the wise men to tell him where the could find the child --pretending that he wanted to worship him, when in fact he desired to eliminate the child, he failed! Men will always fail when they see to mock God!

When one thinks he/she can be successful in mocking God, they are Thinking wrongly (Ps. 50:21): "These things hast thou done, and I kept silence; thou thoughtest that I was altogether such an one as thyself: but I will reprove thee, and set them in order before thine eyes."

Look at Job: Job. 13:9: "Is it good that he should search you out? or as one man mocketh another, do ye so mock him?"

Consider (2 Kings 5:15-27) -- Gehazi, wanted goods, reward offered the prophet and lied, but he was afflicted with the leprosy that Naaman had instead of enjoying the goods! This man thought he could get by with it, but he didn't.
A man and his wife, Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 5:1-10): These lied for money, and suffered, leaving us an example! One cannot successful mock God --when one so thinks he is deceived!

Whatsoever a Man Sows So Shall He Reap!
It's a Universal law -- offsprings resemble parents! Human family -- human seed in a womb, produces child! Animals -- Offspring like planted of seed. Plant -- same is true in vegetable kingdom. So, it is in behavior and consequences -- Sown seed determined consequences. Just as certain as in the other areas.
The nations of the world Ps. 9:17; Prov. 14:34; 2 Kings 22:13; 2 Chro. 34:31
The Church ( 1 Tim. 3:15; Lk. 8:11; Matt. 13:19; Eph. 3:10-11; Phil. 2:16
The Christian (1 Tim. 4:8; Rom. 2:6-10; 14:17, 12; Rev. 14:13). Seed of the kingdom is the word of God.

The Church's mission is to sow the pure seed -- God's word (1 Tim. 3:15). When the church get involved in other things and ceases to do that, it is no long the people of God, the called out group, operating under the authority of Christ, the head!

Two fields:
Flesh 2 Cor. 4:16-18 -- the physical man, materials, behavior. The physical man, of course, is important, but to be secondary to the spiritual man!
Spirit (1 Tim 6:17-19 -- trust God, lay up treasures in heaven, where they will nor deteriorate or be stolen (Matt. 6:19-21).
Results: Corruption and Life eternal.

Be Not Weary in Doing Good
Reaping depends on sowing the right seed and patiently enduring the harvest time, waiting, looking, anticipating! If faint not. -- need to endure, be patient, keep on keeping on! Don't give in or up -- don't yield to false doctrine, or engage in evil. Therefore, opportunity to act: Always doing good, being concerned especially about the household of faith!

Christ, our example, went about doing good (Acts 10:38). He did it In face of opposition. So should I, as a disciple, servant! What about you?
FACT to notice --Always reap kind as seed, but MORE!

One always reaps MORE than he/she sows. You sow expecting to reap more -- plant two potatoes, you expect such to multiply. So, it is in the field of behavior. One will reap many times over according to the seed quantity of seed sown.

Conclusion: Let us take heed, sow good seed, and faint NOT! Are we capable of being deceived? Yes! Do we have to be? Definitely NOT! Think we can mock God -- sow one seed and reap harvest of another? Let us not be so ignorant of nature as well as in the realm of behavior, and especially concerning our souls. What are we doing? Where are we? What does wisdom teach us that we should be active in? Let us be looking for what is divinely approved, taking responsibility for our behavior! Be determined to walk in the light, looking to Jesus the author and finisher of our faith, who for the JOY set before Him was successful and challenges us to follow (Heb. 12:2). If we see we have missed the mark, CHANGE IMMEDIATELY! Christian? Faithful?

By William C. Sexton
 From Expository Files 11.11; November 2004


 

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