“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.” Galatians 6:7-8

Any gardener or farmer knows the truthfulness of the words: “Whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.” One cannot plant thorns and thistles and expect to reap good fruits and vegetables - it just doesn’t work that way. What you sow is what you will also reap.

In fact, it is also true that the thorns and thistles don’t need much help in taking over a garden plot. If they are not constantly pulled or hoed out, they will quickly spread and choke out the good seed planted there.

This is also true of our spiritual lives. Though many think they can live as they please, read what they want to read, watch what they want to watch, spend time doing those things which gratify our sinful human natures and still live and grow spiritually, it just isn’t true.

The Apostle Paul warned his readers: “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.”

Though it is the Spirit of God who brings us to faith and keeps us trusting in Christ Jesus as our Savior, God will not be mocked. We cannot sow to the sinful longings of our flesh and expect to continue in the faith and go to heaven. We will reap what we sow - spiritual corruption and death and, finally, eternal damnation.

On the other hand, when we sow to the Spirit of God by continuing in His Word and partaking of the Lord’s Supper, He will use what is sown to nurture and strengthen our faith in Christ Jesus and preserve us in the true faith unto life everlasting. The Spirit of God will assure us of forgiveness for all our sins and of eternal life for the sake of the innocent sufferings and death of Christ Jesus, our Savior.

Don’t sow to the flesh, but sow to the Spirit and reap the results - life everlasting through faith in your Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ!

Forgive me, O Lord, for the times I have sowed to the flesh. Move me to sow to the Spirit by continuing in the Word, that You might strengthen and preserve me in the true and saving faith unto life everlasting. Amen.

[Devotion by Randy Moll. Scripture from the King James Version of the Bible.]

For The Record, Pages 4 on 07/07/2010