We All Will Reap

We All Will Reap

06/28/09 AM

Text: Galatians 6:7-9

Introduction

Illus: South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford, 49, a conservative former congressman viewed as a strong contender for the White House in 2012, had disappeared from his state of South Carolina, telling aides he was going hiking in the Appalachian Mountains. Instead, the married father of four was 5,000 miles away in Argentina with a glamorous divorcee named by local newspapers as Maria Belen Chapur.

In one of the many radio commentaries I heard concerning this scandal the radio personalities were debating the severity of the rhetoric from those critical of the Governor and whether the reactions were to harsh and one of the commentators said “you reap what you sow.”

Galatians 6:7 - 9 (NASB) 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 will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary.

There’s at least one area of life where the law of sowing and reaping always applies. And that’s in our spiritual life. Our character, our relationship with God, our relationships with one another, these are ruled by the law of sowing and reaping. It’s part of the moral fabric of the universe created by God. This law can’t be overturned by judicial rule; it can’t be repealed by a winning lottery ticket. It holds fast. And so the way of wisdom is not to war against it, but to understand it and live by it and benefit from it. Ignoring the law of sowing and reaping only leads to sorrow and regret. What we need to do is respond to it in a way that’s spiritually healthy and pleasing to God.

“Do not be deceived. God cannot be mocked.”

What’s Paul’s first point? Do not be deceived.

1. This sentence comes within Paul’s flow of thought regarding Christian conduct and applies a natural principle to our attitudes of service, humility, and sharing.

2. The Greek verb tense suggest that some of the believers had been or were already deceived. Paul is basically saying: don’t kid yourselves.

3. But this is the way of the world.

God cannot be mocked.

1. The Greek word literally means “turn up the nose at.” This could also be translated “God is not fooled” or “You cannot mock [or fool] God.”

a. Some people today are mocking God. Not explicitly – they’re not glaring up at the sky, laughing at God, taunting Him, daring Him to strike them down. But they are mocking Him implicitly, by the way they’re living; by disregarding His claims on their life; ignoring God, ignoring His law, ignoring His Son Jesus Christ. Living however they please, with no thought or concern about God.

b. They think they’re beating the system. They think they’re “getting away with it.” They think that as long as they’re clever enough to cover their tracks, as long as they can avoid discovery and exposure, as long as no one finds out, then they can do whatever they want.

c. But what Paul is telling us here is that they’re not getting away with it. It’s corroding their soul. It’s destroying their integrity. It’s eroding the foundation of their relationships, and placing a barrier between them and God. And sooner or later, it is going to come out. Sooner or later, they will reap what they’ve been sowing. (IIL: Sanford)

2. But – What if you don’t get caught? Sometimes the cover-up works, doesn’t it? What if you’re never exposed? What then? Well, at the very least, hidden sin weakens our relationship with God.

a. When Christians try to conceal their sin, it distances them from their Lord. It erects a barrier to prayer; it destroys fellowship with Christ. And at worst, concealed sin shows that there was never really a relationship with God to begin with.

b. You see, people who think they’re “getting away with it” may be able to con everyone around them, every day of their lives, until the day of their death. But they can’t con God. There will be a judgment, and all of their deeds, good and bad, will be exposed.

1 Timothy 5:24 - 25 (NASB) 24The sins of some men are quite evident, going before them to judgment; for others, their sins follow after. 25Likewise also, deeds that are good are quite evident, and those which are otherwise cannot be concealed.

Hebrews 4:13 (NASB) 13And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are open and laid bare to the eyes of Him with whom we have to do.