Sowing and Reaping

Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. – Galatians 6:7

If I could give one piece of advice to every human being that is born as they begin their life and I knew they would take it, it would be in four words – “don’t waste your life.” It’s not that there is anything wrong with retirement or having nice things and enjoying life. The point is we shouldn’t spend our life majoring on those things or those activities. We should spend our life sowing seeds that allow us to be fruitful for the Kingdom of God.

Paul urged the church in Galatia to not waste their lives as well as he was closing out a letter he wrote to them. Keep in mind the words you are about to read were written by a man who was in prison many times, beaten, stoned, shipwrecked, went many times without food or shelter, was robbed and wound up being beheaded. He endured all of it, because he was determined not to waste his life. He gives some tremendous advice which will show you how to be sure you live not a wasted life, but a worthwhile life.

Paul begins with a simple analogy in reference to agriculture, “Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows,” (Galatians 6:7). There are people everywhere who think they can lie, cheat, steal or kill without any consequences, who truly believe they can get away with it. There is a simple reason why you can’t get away with it – nobody ever has, and nobody ever will, and that is because Paul says God is not mocked. God will make sure you reap what you sow. You might can fool all people some of the time, and maybe you can fool some people all of the time. But you can’t fool God anytime.

It’s also important to remember that you reap more than you sow, and you reap later than you sow. You might be tempted to think if you get away with something today, you will get away with it tomorrow. But that’s not true. There are people who live all kinds of lifestyles that are wrong, wicked, ungodly and yet they seem to be emotionally and psychologically stable, physically healthy, and in many cases extremely wealthy. Don’t be discouraged. They will reap what they sow in due time, and so will you as you remain faithful to God.

Dear Lord, thank you for this promise in Galatians 6:7. Help me to sow seeds of love and godliness so that I might reap the blessings of living in obedience to you. In Jesus’ name, amen.