Sowing & Reaping

Galatians 6:6-10 – Part 2

In an article in The Forum on June 22 of this year was an article covering the first part of Galatians 6:6-10. In it we learned of several unavoidable laws concerning sowing and reaping that can be clearly observed in the laws of nature and applied to the spiritual realm. This rule (reaping what one sows) is immutable.  What is sown determines what is reaped.  Reaping comes after sowing, and normally one reaps more than they sow. Here are a few more.

Sowing to the Flesh Reaps Destruction

Paul gives the consequences for sowing to the flesh. “For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption” (6:8a). What is the flesh in this context? It is not simply the physical body. Paul explains n Galatians 5. The one who “walks after the flesh” and “minds the things of the flesh” also “lives after the flesh,” and fulfills the “desires of the flesh” with “the works of the flesh” (Gal. 5:19-21). Romans 8:6-8 also will shed some light on this: “For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be. So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God” (Romans 8:6-8). Sowing to the flesh is doing those deeds for the purpose of self-gratification in this life. To satisfy the desire of the flesh does the works of the flesh.

We can sow to the flesh by the books we read, movies and shows we watch, places we go, the company we keep, the thoughts we think, the time we spend, and even how we spend our money.

Consider some examples from the Old Testament. The prophet Hosea warned Israel, “sow for yourselves righteousness; reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground, for it is time to seek the LORD, till He comes and rains righteousness on you” (Hosea 10:12). “He who sows iniquity will reap sorrow” (Proverbs 22:8). America sowed the wind of slavery and reaped the whirlwind of civil war. Germany sowed the wind of racism and reaped the whirlwind of WW2. Remember, “righteousness exalts a nation, But sin is a reproach to any people” (Prov. 14:34). If you participate in illicit sexual relations, you risk disease. If you break the law, you can certainly expect to be treated like a criminal. Sow drugs in the flesh and reap a life of brain damage. Sow a few missed services and reap a lifetime habit of forsaking the assembly. Too often too much seed of life is sown on things that glorify the flesh and not God.

Consider the Parable of the Rich Farmer. Blessed with a bumper crop he said, “Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years; take your ease; eat, drink, and be merry …So is he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God” (Luke 12:17-19, 21).

What these flesh-sowers reap is “corruption.” This term from the Greek phthora meaning “a putrid corpse in the process of decomposition.” Being contrasted with “everlasting life” it thus refers to eternal death (Rev. 21:8; Phil. 3:19).

Sowing to the Spirit Reaps Life

The opposite to sowing to the flesh is sowing to the Spirit: “but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life.” What is sown? Not the Holy Spirit itself but the things which with the Holy Spirit has promoted in the Bible. It is sowing to the fruits of the Spirit, such as, love, joy, peace and so on (Gal. 5:22,23). What we do with material things is evidence of how we value spiritual things. Jesus reminded His disciples, “for where your treasure is, there will your heart be also” (Matt. 6:21). Sow obedience to the Gospel and reap forgiveness of sins. Sow the Christian life and reap eternal life.

Examples of this sowing of righteousness can be seen in the life of Noah. He sowed in obedience in making the ark to the saving of his family and mankind. Hannah sowed in prayer and reaped a son, Samuel. Daniel and three friends sowed in faithfulness and reaped deliverance.

Sowing Can be Wearisome

Sowing good seed can cause some to grow weary as they wait for a harvest. “And let us not grow weary while doing good” (6:9a). This will happen from time to time, because we are creatures of time and limited energy and patience. When a farmer plants in spring, he can predict approximately when he will harvest. A spiritual harvest is not predictable. One will sow and not see any signs of spiritual growth. This could result in one failing to sow, thinking, “what is the use I sow and sow and see no fruit from and for may labor.” “He who observes the wind will not sow, and he who regards the clouds will not reap” (Eccl. 11:4).

Reaping Comes at the Right Time

A reason is given for us not to grow weary while sowing to the Spirit: “for in due season we shall reap” (6:9b). This life is the time of planting seeds and reaping in eternity. This is a promise God will fulfill, but at the right time. The Lord of the harvest is in charge, and not the laborers. The Second Coming is the Father’s prerogative alone. Jesus said, “but of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only” (Matt. 24:36). Harvest-time is found only in God’s date book.

Reaping Comes After Perseverance

A condition is given for reaping, it involves perseverance: “if we do not lose heart” (6:9c). The term used here is the Greek ekluo meaning “to lose one’s courage to go on.” It is used of those who are overworked to the point of exhaustion. “Men ought always to pray, and not to faint” (Luke 18:1). If you stop breathing, you will faint. If we do not eat, we will faint. If we give up sowing and praying, our souls will “faint”.

Sowing at the Right Time

“Therefore, as we have opportunity” (6:10a) indicates there are specific times which are right for sowing. This is a word play or pun between the words “time” and “opportunity”. Just as there is a time for reaping, now is the time to look for opportunities to sow. The time for doing good is always right. But there are specific times based on when opportunity presents itself. For example, the Good Samaritan was given an opportunity to help a man who was robbed and beat. If he, like the priest or the Levite, just walked by, he too would have missed out on an opportunity to sow a good deed (Luke 10; see Eph. 5:16).

Sow Everywhere for Everyone

Sowing good deeds is not just limited to those in Christ or Christians. Sowing good is toward everyone: “let us do good to all” (6:10b). We are to “walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time” (Col. 4:5). We are to love our enemies.

However, a Christian’s first priority needs to be the opportunities to sow good deeds in regard to our fellow saints. Paul commands us to do good “especially to those who are of the household of faith” (6:10c). The end of this verse forms an inclusio with verse six which instructs us to share with those who are teachers. We are to be members of God’s family (Eph. 2:19; 1 Tim. 3;15). Thus, we share with those of “like precious faith” (2 Peter 1:1).

We must give priority to “the household of faith.” Family comes first. A man always cares for his own family, before he cares for the neighborhood (1 Tim. 5:8). “Charity begins at home.” After all, a Christian could hardly expect help from pagan neighbors. But a pagan should expect good from a Christian, because the faithful follower of Christ will take care of his spiritual family. John warned, “but whoever has this world’s goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him? (1 John 3:17). By our love for one another the world will believe in Christ.

When Beverley and I lived in Florida, we first rented a block house not far from the beach. The yard was very sandy. I wanted to grow a little garden, but had a hard time growing enough grass. The landlord came out with a big truck load of chicken manure. It helped the grass grow, but came with an unexpected bonus. Corn stalks started popping up all over our front yard. Now I do love corn, so I transplanted them into a prepared plot in the back yard. They started to grow but did not come to maturity before the hot sun and lack of fertile soil killed all the stalks. Planting a garden with the hopes of harvesting corn was in vain. This is the risk taking by farmers from the time of Cain. With enough nutrients and water, in time one will reap what they have sown.

The sower determines the type of harvest to be reaped. Christians determine by what they sow the harvest they will reap (Matt. 13). Reaping salvation is the ultimate harvest. So do not come to the end of time and lament: “The harvest is past, The summer is ended, And we are not saved!” (Jer. 8:20).

– Daniel R. Vess