We Reap What We Sow (Galatians 6:7)

When we had to write out our 'Teaching Philosophy' in NIE, I was primarily thinking of this verse when I coined it to be (can also see home page):

"I believe in empowering individuals to make informed choices and to bear the consequences that will follow."

What we sow we will reap of the same kind.

That is to say, if I plant apple seeds, I will get apples. Good apples, some sour apples, green apples, smaller apples than hoped... but apples. You won't plant apple seeds and hope to get watermelons- although you might have planted the wrong seeds in the first place, which then is another story altogether.

According to GotQuestions.org, Sowing & Reaping:

-is a principle of the natural world.

-is also a principle of the spiritual world (Gal 6:7)

-implies a wait- it takes time for the harvest (Gal 6:9)

I am a master at justifying / deceiving myself, and then whining "WHY ME? WHY SO?" to God after that when I don't feel what I want to feel.

When quite frankly, if I were to be completely honest with myself, I am the one who takes steps toward these potential situations.

Sure, I can push the blame to others, for suggesting, for hinting, for feeling the same way, for giving the impression that...

But it is I, as a Christian, who has my eyes wide open to the consequences. Who has the power from God to not sin.

It is just whether or not I purpose in my heart to do so.

Why should I blame anyone else?

In my natural state, I am a rebel. I like to go my own way, forge my own paths, scorn at society's tradition if it fails to make sense to me... and though these are not wrong, these are risky behaviours, and I need to be very wise and dependent on God's Word when I forge new paths. I like to experiment and venture- but i need to know that every choice, every left turn I make in the woods has a consequence. So especially when I try the less tested ways, I need to rely carefully on my map (God's word).

The world is not a snow-filled 'happy safe place' globe where you get to make choices and have positive/no consequences. God says the world is a dangerous, deceitful place, contrary to what you might feel (Ephesians 6:12).

Ephesians 4:22-24 says:

"you are to (a) put off concerning the former behaviour the old man, that is corrupt according to the desires of the deceit, and to (b) be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and to (c) put on the new man, which, according to God, was created in righteousness and kindness of the truth."

This refers to:

(a) a deliberate action of putting off,

(b) a deliberate process of being renewed (aka reading God's Word and letting the Spirit transform my understanding and open my eyes, and

(c) a deliberate action of putting on (the new man).

For a few days/weeks, I have honestly been at a loss about what to do. I swing between feeling like YAY IT'S OKAY and WTH AM I FEELING. 

And it is only today when I read a friend's blog, that I realised- i'm doing a few things wrong.

1. Im not guarding my heart (and out of it spring the wellsprings of life- imagine that!) (Proverbs 4:23)

2. Im not laying aside every weight that helps me to run the race for Christ (Hebrews 12:1)

3. Im not being a good example to others who see me as a Christian (Titus 2:7)

There is a right way to do things.

When I hurt, I am reaping what I sow.

Do not be deceived; God is not mocked. For whatever a man sows, he will reap.

To you, and you too:

God's Time is the best. Even now, even for this. He desires that you turn to Him. 

He is watching us struggle, 

He wants to embrace us but we willfully tune out His voice- because we do not want to hear His truth.

He says:

You cannot put off the old man by yourself. 

Your heart is deceitful above all things. 

My love, you reap what you sow.

But it is not too late. The consequences, though painful, are not permanent.

I am here, waiting for you to come to Me.

You know God is real. 

Yet you do nothing. Yet you do not see any urgency to tell others about Him.

Why? Because you have spent too long "feasting at the table of the world".

You have become gluttons of worldly things- guzzling the junk of this world.

Even when you turn away from sin, you do so half-heartedly, looking back constantly.

Guess what God did to Lot's wife when she looked back?

Do not be deceived- GOD IS NOT MOCKED.

Turn now, and repent. I need to do so too.