In scientific circles, there are a number of phenomena that are so well-established, that they are referred to as "laws." For example, there is the well known law of gravity, often summarized with the words, "What goes up must come down." Another example of a scientific law is the law of inertia, which states that an object at rest will remain at rest until a force sufficient to top the object is applied. That these laws are in force with the physical universe is recognized by just about everyone -but the fact is, these laws hold true whether folks recognize them or not.
What so many people fail to realize is that the spiritual realm is also governed by certain fundamental laws. One of them is found in Galatians 6:7-8, "Do not be deceived, god is not mocked: for what ever a man sow, this he will also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh shall reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit shall from the Spirit reap eternal life." Actually, this idea that whatever one sows, that he shall also reap holds true as a physical law. Ever heard of anyone who planted in the field, that is the kind of harvest we can expect. Also, we know that to a great extent our own physical health depends on how well we take care of ourselves. If we eat right, if we get the right amount of exercise and rest, then we will probably be fairly healthy. One the other hand, if we eat a lot of fatty foods, don't eat our veggies, fail to get enough exercise and sleep, then we are more susceptible to health problems. But what Paul is trying to emphasize to the Galatians are the spiritual implications of this law of sowing and reaping. Let's look at three areas of application:
In the development of our relationship with God. Our relationship with God should be more important to us than anything else. But in order for that relationship to grow, some effort on our part (some "sowing") is required. For example, God has asked us to keep a regular appointment with Him on each first day of the week. As often as we keep that appointment, we provide for ourselves an opportunity to consider eternity, we procure for ourselves the blessing of being encouraged by others of "like precious faith," and we plant in our hearts His word "which is able to save your souls" (James 1:21b). I'm not sure we can overemphasize the importance of that sowing. The devil sure understands it. In explaining the parable of the sower to His disciples, Jesus said in Matthew 13:19, "when anyone hears the word of the kingdom, ad does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what has been sown in his heart." Of course, the sowing of God's word in our hearts should not be limited to the church building -- Bible study is something we should do every day.
In the development and sustaining of relationships with others. Do you have a lot of really good friends? If you do, then it is probably because you learned this secret - in order to have friends, we must be a friend. In any interpersonal relationship, we must invest in the relationship if we want it to be strong. One way we invest in relationships is by doing what Paul told the Galatians in 6:2, "Bear one another's burdens, and thus fulfill the law of Christ." This is the ultimate way we cement relationships with others, by helping them through though times, by bearing the burdens that they cannot bear alone. Some churches realize the importance of socializing, because they believe that is how church members develop good relationships with one another. Well, socializing may help, but it is when folks work together, toward a common goal, when they hold each other up, that strong relationships are truly forged.
In the development of character. How we long for what Paul called the "fruit of the Spirit love, joy, peace, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control" (Galatians 5:22). Who does not want these things to be a part of their character? But in order to reap the fruit of the Spirit, we have to sow to the Spirit (v. 8). How do we do that? By listening to what the Spirit says to us. How does the Spirit speak to us? Peter tells us in 2 Peter 1:20-21, "But know this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of one's own interpretation, for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God." It works this way: the scriptures ultimately come from the Spirit -- so when we "listen to" and heed the voice of the Spirit, we are sowing to the Spirit. And the Spirit teaches that it is folly to emphasize the physical joys and pleasures of the life to come. In short, the Spirit teaches us the truth. And the Spirit tells us how to live our lives so that the fruit of the Spirit will be ours. What do we do if someone strikes us on the cheek? We turn the other one to him also. What do we do if our brother sins against us? If he repents, we forgive him. How should we view the daily struggle to obtain the necessities of life? We work with our hands to provide our needs and we put all the anxiety and worry about these things in God's hands. In a thousand ways and more the Spirit tells us how to be the right kind of people, a people who enjoy the fruits of the spiritual relationship with God.
Do we want to reap eternal life? Then we'd better be busy sowing toward it.
~In Gospel Power, Anderson, Alabama, 2/7/99.