reaping what you sow
What is the potential deception
here? Could it be the mindset that you
will be able to avoid normal consequences of natural actions? Could it also be the idea that one can violate
God’s offer of grace and yet still enjoy it?
Paul uses the analogy of sowing seed. Let’s draw the analogy out a bit. Suppose your currency for this seed is your
time and energy, and the seed selection is broad, so you purchase the seeds
from your time and energy investments.
Your planting consists of the actions that result from what you have
been thinking about.
Seed -what kind of seed are you
buying and where are you buying it?
What
are you dwelling on, and exploring in thought?
Where do you make these mental purchases? (friends, family, internet,
movies, music, etc.) And how much do they cost in terms of time, emotional and
spiritual health?
Ground
–Where do you release the ‘seeds’ /thoughts? With whom do you
choose to share
these thoughts and ideas? Anyone,
anywhere?
Planting – How do you plant the seeds? Do you broadcast them and just
let
them land where they will, through posts, jokes, babbling, group interactions,
etc. or do you calculate where they will best be received and seek out certain
people and places, to put your thoughts into action?
Whatever sort of seeds we sow,
we will certainly get more of the same, provided the ground is fertile and
receptive.
Sowing to the flesh we will reap corruption (see
Gal.5:19-21): sexual immorality, faithlessness, disunity
with believers, breaks in morals and relationships, and ultimately separation
from God.
Sowing to the Spirit we
will reap spiritual fruit (see Gal. 5:22-23): growth, renewal,
transformation, unity, and ultimately everlasting life.
Have
you ever noticed how vigorous weeds can be?
Tenacious burrs and foxtails attach themselves to socks, shoes, animal
fur,… They will find a place to lodge!
Like sin, little effort is required to harvest more. Carrots, lettuce,
and corn on the other hand, all need careful planting, watering and
cultivation.
A great risk for
the one sowing to the Spirit can be discouragement that may come from diligence required to prepare and plant good seeds in good soil, a lack of
observed results, and/or fatigue from “pulling weeds”.
It is to this
potential weariness that Paul speaks the encouragement:
in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart!
Read
and Pray: Matthew 15:18, Romans 2:4-10, 2
Cor. 4:16-18, 1 Cor. 15:57-58
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