You Reap What You Sow

Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he 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.

(Galatians 6:7-8)

Meditation

Everyone is born with the desire to want things we don’t need, or to do things we shouldn’t do. There are some people who will do anything to get more money or power. When a person’s only concern is only for themselves and how they can make themselves richer or more powerful, they are sowing to the flesh. When a person chases from one sexual encounter after another, they are sowing to the flesh. When a person lies about anything and everything just to make them look better in the eyes of others, is sowing to the flesh. In each one of those circumstances, and countless others, they may achieve their fleshly goals, but that’s all they’ll reap.

I’m thinking of the Hollywood elite and politicians. Both will do just about anything, tell any tale to get what they want. Quite often they will get what they’re seeking after. They’ll congratulate themselves and each other for their accomplishments, but the consequences for their actions are eternal. Some search for escape through drugs. They will eventually come down from their high, however, and find themselves in the same quagmire they were trying to get away from. There are those who reject the God of the Bible and seek Buddha or Allah, or any of a number of other false gods in the world to satisfy their sinful natures. 

Without a Holy God to set boundaries, this world and everyone in it is doomed. However, with the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, we put God first in our lives, and he will help us overpower the desires of our flesh. It’s true that even believers will back slide at times, reverting to their earthly desires, but the Spirit will lead us back with a repentant heart. As a follower of Christ, we should look for ways to serve him and our fellow man. When we concern ourselves with the welfare of others, we are sowing to the Spirit. Of course, that entails sowing the seeds of the gospel of Jesus Christ. When we serve in the mission field, or support them with our money and prayers, we are sowing to the Spirit. When we worship in humility and love, we are sowing to the Spirit. Repentance and baptism is our only hope and provides us an unsurpassed joy in this life and throughout all eternity.

Prayer Time

Heavenly Father, we thank you for the blessings you have bestowed on us. You are both fair and gracious with your justice. Before we submitted our lives to Christ Jesus, we were full of sinful desires. We constantly seek after things that will satisfy us for that moment. We seldom think about anything concerning the God who created us or our eternity. We’re more concerned with our own pleasure and sowing to our flesh than on ways to please you. Thankfully, Jesus was willing to take the punishment for our selfishness and now we belong to you. Thank you for giving us a new heart, one that puts the needs of others before our own. We want to please only you, dear Lord. Make us a shining light of your glory to everyone around us. Give us a spirit of service and then help us to be searching for ways to serve. Teach us, Lord, that in our service to you and others, we are sowing to the Spirit and we will reap a great heavenly reward. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen!