Sowing and Reaping
"Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap.” This warning from Galatians 6:7 invokes the eternal, universal principle of sowing and reaping that began with creation. On the third day of creation, God made plants and trees that yielded seed and fruit after their own kind, and thus those plants and trees reproduced themselves (Gen. 1:11-12). Similarly on the fifth and sixth days, God made sea creatures, cattle, creeping things, beasts, and even man, and He blessed them all to be fruitful and multiply to fill the earth (Gen. 1:21-28). Ever since then, seeds have reproduced after their own kind, and never has a thing of God's creation reproduced something totally unlike itself (a fact contrary to the theory of evolution). This is the principle of sowing and reaping, i.e., "whatever a man sows, this he will also reap.”
The principle of sowing and reaping is not only a law of agriculture and biology, but it is also a spiritual law. The word of God uses this universally understood principle of sowing and reaping to teach us the spiritual lesson that our deeds will receive a just recompense. This is the full meaning of Galatians 6:7-9:
"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.”
This passage explains the consequences and rewards that result from our choices. Sowing in this passage is figurative of choosing to live a way of life – either a life of the flesh and sin or a life of the spirit and righteousness. Reaping is figurative of the corresponding result – a life of sin results in corruption, but a life of righteousness results in eternal life. The results of these choices are unchangeable – "whatever a man sows, this he will also reap.” A man cannot sow tares and reap wheat, and likewise a man cannot sow sin and reap eternal life.
The law of sowing and reaping governs not only quality but also quantity. In governing quality, the law of sowing a reaping means that sowing the same results in the same. In governing quantity, the law of sowing and reaping means that sowing more of the same results in even more of the same. We understand this very well in agriculture, for sowing one thousand seeds of corn produces more than sowing one hundred seeds of corn. In spiritual terms, the same is true. Notice 2Corinthians 9:6 – "Now this I say, he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.” Likewise, consider Luke 6:38:
"Give, and it will be given to you. They will pour into your lap a good measure--pressed down, shaken together, and running over. For by your standard of measure it will be measured to you in return.”
The spiritual lesson is simple: the more good we do, the more good we receive. Likewise, the more evil we do, the more evil we receive. The spiritually-minded person must understand this with a correct spiritual perspective, for our rewards are spiritual. In this life, the good we may do will reap a corresponding harvest of spiritual blessings now (peace, joy, love, fellowship with God and His people, etc.) and a harvest of eternal life in heaven. Similarly, the sin we may practice will reap a corresponding harvest of misery now (separation from God, broken relationships, trouble, etc.) and a harvest of eternal destruction in hell.
This very simple message needs to be preached. Look at Galatians 6:7 again – "Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap.” This is a warning – "Do not be deceived.” The world around us is living under the deception of Satan that has been his mantra from the beginning – "You surely shall not die” (Gen. 3:4). Satan's message denies the plain truth of God's word and the law of sowing a reaping, for he says that we may sow to the flesh and yet reap eternal life. This is a lie that has captured the whole world. Therefore, let us sound out the truth of sowing and reaping as stated in Isaiah 3:10-11:
"Say to the righteous that it will go well with them, for they will eat the fruit of their actions. Woe to the wicked! It will go badly with him, for what he deserves will be done to him.”
Let no one be deceived, but rather let us recognize the truth about our choices, sow to the spirit, and reap eternal life.
Stacey E. Durham
