Do The Math

"Do not be deceived.  God is not mocked: for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap."
                                                                                                                             Galatians 6:7

Some things need little explanation.  Some spiritual truths need none.  They just say it.  There.  The words from Galatians 6:7 fit into that category.  No explanation necessary.

In my limited attempts at planting a vegetable garden I found an amazing truth that never changed--what I planted was ALWAYS what came up.  Imagine that!  I never had to wonder.   When I planted peas, I got peas.  When I planted pumpkins, pumpkins I got.  When I planted tomatoes--you guessed it!  I got tomatoes.  Never failed.  What went into the ground is what came back up in a few weeks 100% of the time.

We are accustomed to hearing this truth paired with financial blessings and there is certainly plenty of evidence and encouragement in the Word of God to firm that up.  But there is much more to receive from this chapter and the preceding one in Galatians.

Paul is reminding the Galatian church (and the contemporary church as well) that if we sow to our flesh (our sinful nature, selfish desires, judgmental attitude, unforgiveness, bitterness, etc...) then that is exactly what we will reap.  Why is it so hard for us to show grace to others when grace is what we need for ourselves?  Can we not see it?  Why is patience with our neighbor such a difficult thing to have when we need and receive patience in daily quantities from the Lord?  Why must we hold onto the offenses from the past when Jesus daily marks paid on our sin ledger?

Maybe self is the real issue here.  Whenever I spend way too much time thinking about me I always end up in a place that doesn't work.  I don't belong there because I have grieved the Holy Spirit that lives in me.  He thrives in the areas that I surrender completely to Him.  Just because I don't "feel" like surrendering doesn't mean I shouldn't.  My feelings so often lie.

Lord, please continue to remind me that when I sow to the Spirit I will receive the fruit that the Spirit offers...."love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control".  

It works every time.