One of my favorite pleasures of summer is eating a vine ripened tomato. With a little salt and mayo on toasted sour dough, it’s the best. Time and effort to plant, water, and nurture are necessary for that tomato to grow. So tasty, it’s worth the wait.
Galatians has been teaching us about the freedom we have in Christ. As we continue in our reflections of learning how to live free, we come to Galatians 6:6-10 where Paul uses the farming principles of sowing and reaping to make his points.
In farming, the kind of harvest we reap is determined by the kind of seed we sow. What we sow, we will reap.
Nature – Are we sowing the right seed?
Quality – Are we sowing good seed?
Quantity – Are we sowing enough seed?
Examples from our Christian Walk
These principles of sowing and reaping apply spiritually as well. John Stott says the guiding principle is in verse 7. If we sow one kind of spiritual seed, we can’t expect to reap another. If we sow thoughtlessly or selfishly, we can’t expect a good harvest. We may fool ourselves into thinking otherwise, but no one fools God.1 Stott goes on to say we can see examples of this principle in our Christian Walk.
Christian Ministry – seed of God’s Word (verse 6)
If someone who is mature is training us so that we also understand how to live out God’s Word, we should share all the blessings we have experienced, spiritual and material, with the ones training us. In this way we experience the sweet fellowship and partnership in a common life together.
In our churches this is seen in how we give generously so our pastors can focus on studying, praying, and teaching as their vocation. The pastor is sowing God’s Word and reaping a livelihood.
Christian Holiness – seed of our thoughts and deeds (verse 8)
If you recall, we discussed the battleground of the flesh and spirit at war with one another in Galatians 5:16-25. If we want to reap fruit of the Spirit, we will sow seed in that field. This battle is largely waged in our minds which leads to how we behave.
If we don’t want to reap decay and ruin, then we must develop disciplined habits of prayer, bible reading, and worship that influence the company we keep and how we spend our time. We keep on keeping on doing this until we are completely mature.
Christian Well-doing – seed of good works (verses 9-10)
Our problem is we are too impatient. We want to sow and reap in the same day, like starting a diet today and seeing weight loss tomorrow. When the truth is, we may not see the results of our planting good seed on this side of heaven. It becomes hard to persevere. We get fatigued and wonder if it is worth it.
We must dispel lies with Truth. If we don’t lose heart while trying to do what is right, we will reap a good crop come harvest time. We receive some encouragement now in the form of spiritual blessings. Every time we can benefit someone’s spiritual good, we take the opportunity, starting with those in our community of faith. In this way, we encourage one another to not give up too soon.
Conclusion – Harvest a Crop for Eternity
What would happen if we lived like we believed everything we do here to advance God’s Kingdom will reap eternal benefit at the glorious return of King Jesus? None of our hurts, disappointments, or efforts are wasted. Everything we do here for God’s glory shows up in New Heaven New Earth. All the seed sown now prepares us to reign and rule effectively in the Kingdom to come. We can taste the fruit the Spirit is growing to encourage us to persevere. Living with this renewed perspective makes the full harvest to come is that much sweeter.
6 Let the one who is taught the word share all good things with the one who teaches. 7 Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. 8 For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. 9 And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. 10 So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith. Galatians 6:6-10 ESV
John R. W. Stott, The Message of Galatians: Only One Way. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1968.
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