Whatever a Man Sows, This He Will Also Reap
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Whatever a Man Sows, This He Will Also Reap
Planting gardens is a wonderful experience. Where you plant corn, you get corn. Where you plant marigolds, you get marigolds. So, we plan our garden. The veggies are in one area, the flowers in another — and things like wheat, barley, and oats get planted in large fields. As we plant, we know what we’ll get. Planting corn will not produce carrots. Each seed has been designed to produce its own kind. Wise gardeners and farmers do not plant noxious weeds, because they will ruin all their good crops and be good for nothing.
The same is true in our daily lives. If our daily living plants jealousy, hatred, greed, immorality, sorcery, strife, lies, idolatry, anger, etc., that is exactly what we will reap in this life and in eternity. In eternity, it’s called hell.
But, when our daily lives plant kindness, love, joy, peace, patience, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control, those are the things we will reap in this life and in eternity.
We know what we will reap from each kind of seed we plant, so we wisely plant what is good for us and those around us. Paul describes life’s situation in Galatians 6:7-8,
Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap.
For the one who sows to his own flesh shall from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit shall from the Spirit reap eternal life.
We certainly do see many in this world sowing all sorts of seeds “to his own flesh“, and we are always seeing them “reap corruption“. It’s not a pretty picture. In spite of all sorts of ugly results, people still tend to think they can fool God and get away with sowing some “wild oats”. But, “God is not mocked“, and they always end up with sad results.
Sometimes, when we are trying to plant good seeds, we don’t think we’re seeing any good results — and can feel rather discouraged. All seeds have their own life-cycle patterns, so some take much longer to grow. Paul knew that, so in Galatians 6:9-10, he adds,
And let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we shall reap if we do not grow weary.
So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all men, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith.
And, as in all of our work, we need to leave the results up to God. In 1 Corinthians 3:6-7, Paul wrote concerning the good things planted in his ministry,
I planted, Apollos watered, but God was causing the growth. So then neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but God who causes the growth.
Whatever kinds of good seeds we plant during our lives, the glory of the growth belongs to God alone. He alone can cause all things to work for our good. So, we look to Him for the blessings of growth, as we plant only what is good in God’s sight.
Resting in God’s plan for growth, we say, “Hallelujah! Lord, You do all things well. Thank You for Your many blessings and the wisdom in all of Your creation.”
Love,
Margaret
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A Christian devotional to glorify the LORD of lords and God of gods
This is the day which the LORD has made;
Let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Psalm 118:24
The word of the LORD is tried;
He is a shield to all who take refuge in Him.
Psalm 18:30
Sing for joy in the LORD, O you righteous ones;
Praise is becoming to the upright.
Psalm 33:1
How blessed are those who dwell in Thy house!
They are ever praising Thee.
Psalm 84:4
Just as a father has compassion on his children,
So the LORD has compassion on those who fear Him.
Psalm 103:13
Oh give thanks to the LORD, for He is good;
For His lovingkindness is everlasting.
Psalm 107:1
Glory in His holy name;
Let the heart of those who seek the LORD be glad.
Psalm 105:3
Not that I have already obtained it, or have already become perfect, but I press on in order that
I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus.
Philippians 3:12
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