“Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.” — Galatians 6:7
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One of the most cherished principles in all of Scripture — one that also receives more secular acceptance than any other — is found in Galatians 6. This is the series of verses where the apostle Paul is talking about reaping what we sow. This principle is talked about, both in faith-based and secular cultures, to demonstrate the importance of things like saving, preparation and goal-setting. In a sports culture, the very basis of why practice is so highly valued is set in these principles from God: The more we practice skills and situations, the greater our ability will be to consistently perform at a high level.
However, let’s turn our attention from the idea of practice and instead think about what we’re sowing in the world as followers of Jesus Christ who interact with people. Let’s see what the apostle Paul had to say regarding this principle: “Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers” (Galatians 6:7-10).
The opening line of this passage struck me as a reminder of an essential truth — God knows all. He knows our hearts. He knows our motives. He knows our initiative. Our Heavenly Father has entrusted us, the Body of Christ, with much. We are to respond in kind with love toward people in sin, just as the Lord Jesus Christ did as He interacted with others.
Let’s put it this way: Because the Lord Jesus Christ was God on earth, what did He sow in His public ministry? The Lord Jesus sowed healing, forgiveness, mercy, giving, love and encouragement. To the lost who came to Him in humility, He sowed mercy and grace; to those who had little, the Lord Jesus sowed Heaven’s provision that made an eternal impact upon the world. Did He minimize sin? No, He did not. Was His life of serving people despite their sin transformational? Yes, it was.
As you go about your life, what are you sowing on behalf of the Lord Jesus Christ? When you’ve encountered tough conversations and situations, of which there are many, are you interacting with love and kindness or are you simply sowing to the flesh, trying to show why you’re right and other people are wrong? When people in need walk by you and you know they’re in need, are you reaching out to them to sow God’s provision into their lives? Are you giving them hope through the knowledge of Jesus Christ as He’s entrusted you with resources to provide for His beloved children in need?
As the world around us descends into chaos, the Body of Christ needs to collectively prepare to further throw itself into loving this broken world in a way that doesn’t become accepting of sin but instead invalidates the allure of sin through the transformational relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ. I am confident in this: When we get to Heaven and account for our lives, I believe the Lord Jesus Christ will delight much more in our giving to sinners in His name than He will delight in our condemnation of sinful practices. We will reap what we have sown in this life, which is love, goodness and intimacy with our Father in Heaven and His beloved Son.
— Jon Oglesby
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