Happy May!
Can you believe it’s May already? This year has been flying by.
We are exploring God’s promises through journaling. We have already transcribed over 100 of God’s promises since January. We are set to discover thirty-one more promises this month.
I came across the passage Galatians 6:7-10 when looking through Faith’s Checkbook’s May Scripture list. The promise in these verses is rich and hopeful. It prompted me to write a short devotional for this month.
Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith. Galatians 6:7-10
Paul encourages Christians to live lives marked by the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:19-25) and to help one another in life’s difficulties (Galatians 6:1-5). Christianity is about God’s grace, which gives us life and purpose through Christ.
What we do in this life will determine our rewards or lack thereof in eternity. The “seeds” we plant along the way decide the “crop” we generate between now and the moment of our death.
Be not deceived – Take care not to deceive yourself or allow others to deceive you.
God is not mocked – Our omniscient God cannot be deceived and will not allow you to mock Him with false dedication in place of genuine dedication.
Whatsoever a man soweth – whatever “seeds” we plant in our lives, we shall reap. Beans will not produce wheat or wheat beans.
For he that soweth to his flesh – He that sows to the flesh will reap corruption. Whoever rejects the Gospel and places his faith solely in the traditions and observances of the law for salvation will be met with endless disappointment and misery.
He that soweth to the Spirit – If we desire to reap the fruit of the Spirit, we must not be afraid to sow the Spirit with whatever resources God has provided. Those who live a life of faith in Christ and abound in Christian graces under the guidance and influence of the Holy Spirit will reap eternal life.
Let us not be weary – we should carefully watch and guard against becoming weary in our duty to serve Christ and others. There is often an inclination to get tired of duty and fall away especially when we are met with hatred and opposition from a persecuting world. If we grow weary and faint in the work, we will not see the blessings of our hard work.
In due season we shall reap – We are assured that if we persevere and continue in the work, even when it takes some time, our reward will come and it will be sufficient for all our suffering and perseverance. Keep in mind that perseverance in good deeds is our wisdom, interest, and duty because only for this is the reward given.
As we have opportunity – While the time is right or you have the ability to accomplish good deeds, as long as life exists. We should be actively looking for ways to share the Gospel and the blessing of what Christ has done for us with others.
Let us do good unto all men – We need to choose to share our love and do good unto ALL men not only to our relations, friends, or acquaintances.
Especially unto them who are of the household of faith – The children of God must be true believers in Christ, keep the doctrine of faith, and profess it; these should be those whom we seek to help more readily.
When we choose to live to please the Lord in all we do, we won’t necessarily avoid heartache and suffering, but we can be sure to avoid the results from when we sow to the flesh.
When I choose to sow to the Spirit, I can spare myself from losing friends because of my temper. When I sow to the Spirit, I avoid the heartache of arguments in my marriage. When I sow to the Spirit, I can escape the embarrassment of prison for selling drugs, being arrested for DUI, or the disgrace of losing my family or business over gambling. The list can go on and on.
Over the years, I have heard people say, “You’re lucky. You have a great marriage.” I do have a great marriage, but it doesn’t come from luck. It takes hard work to have and keep a great marriage. We will be celebrating 28 years of marriage this month! What you sow is what you reap. For better or worse, we are all reaping what we have sown over the past few years of our lives. That is unchangeable. It would be beneficial if we took the time to set goals for the next year, five years, or ten years. What is the opportunity to reap that which has eternal worth to you, your spouse, your children, your family, or your friends? What will you be willing to do to hear Christ one day say, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant?”
