Sowing and
Reaping
Introduction:
We
know from experience that if we sow corn seed, we will reap
corn, not wheat. We also know that if we plant one corn
seed, we won’t grow forty acres of corn. We do truly reap
what we sow.
Read
Galatians 6:7.
“Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man
sows, that he will also reap.”
NKJV
No truer words were ever spoken. This is an unchangeable
law of God. By examining this verse in detail, we can
harvest some very useful lessons.
Body:
I.
Do Not Be Deceived
·
The word “deceived”
comes from a Greek word that means to wander, to be led
astray, to stagger, to be led in the wrong direction. We
get the English word “planet” from this – a wanderer. This
word is used in
I
Corinthians 6:9 and 15:33.
·
The Bible informs
us that there is a deceiver. (Revelation
12:9)
We can deceive ourselves by trusting appearances or being
guided by our feelings. We also deceive ourselves by
believing we can live any way we want and still inherit
eternal life. As Robert Louis Stevenson once wrote, “Sooner
or later we all sit down to a banquet of consequences.”
II.
God Is Not Mocked
·
The word “mocked”
comes from a Greek word that means to turn up one’s nose at
someone. [It is used by one who is suffering nose
bleeding.]
·
Many people
throughout time have mocked God.
o
Ernest Hemingway
snubbed his nose at morality and at God. He thought the
Bible was outdated and useless. He ended his life by
putting a gun to his head.
o
Sinclair Lewis
attacked God’s moral standards. He died an alcoholic in
Italy.
o
Oscar Wilde also
attacked God’s moral standards. He died as an imprisoned
homosexual in disgrace.
·
You cannot fool God
because He sees all and knows all. (Proverbs
15:3, Psalm 139:1-6)
III.
Sowing and Reaping
·
“Whatsoever” This
law applies to all men at all times in all places. It
applies to every sphere of life. There are no exceptions!
·
“Sows” –
continually sows There is a pattern, a lifestyle. (II
Corinthians 9:6) The level at
which you sow determines the level you will reap.
·
Many examples are
given in Scripture of sowing and reaping. (Job
4:8, James 3:18) Difficult times
may reap joyful blessings. (Psalm
30:5, 126:5-6)
·
Galatians
6:9
tells us about the need for patience in waiting for harvest
time. “Due season” Reaping comes at the appropriate
time. The farmer knows that if he plants corn today, the
harvest will not be tomorrow! (James
5:7)
It takes time for seed to grow.
Conclusion:
What kind of seed are you sowing? Are you sowing to the
flesh or the Spirit? Will you reap everlasting separation
from God or everlasting life with Him?
“Sow a thought and reap an act; Sow an act and reap a
habit; Sow a habit and reap a character, Sow a
character and reap a destiny.”
Bobby Stafford
October 12, 2014 |