7 Do not be deceived: God is not to be mocked. Whatever a man sows, he will reap in return. 8 The one who sows to please his flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; but the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.

REFLECTIONS

Written by Joseph Ting

The beginning of this passage jumps out at me. Paul basically says: “Don’t kid yourself – God is not to be fooled or taken lightly.” We may think what we do is confined to our hearts, that only we ourselves know what is going on inside us. However, we seldom realise that every single thought, action, even inklings of thoughts, are laid bare in God’s eyes. Remember in Matthew 10:31 and Luke 12:7, God even numbers the hairs on our heads! If God cares for us so much and knows us so intimately, do we seriously think God doesn’t know what’s in our hearts? Or maybe we just forget so easily.

Paul goes on to warn us that in the long term, we will bear the consequences of the decisions we make and the direction we choose – just like a farmer will eventually reap what he sows. If he sows good seeds and puts in the hard work required to nurture what he has planted, he will reap a good harvest. On the contrary, if he sows bad seeds and couldn’t care less about taking proper care of his crops, then he will reap a bad harvest.

Paul tells us that our thoughts and actions are like that of the farmer. If we live to “please the flesh” – if we don’t care about walking by the Spirit of Christ, if we’re happy to follow the so-called “pleasures of today” and do whatever we please according to our sinful desires – then we will bear the consequences of our decision: death and destruction on the final day. On the other hand, if we commit to living as those who belong to Christ, guided by the Holy Spirit and in the grace of God, striving to live out the fruit of the Holy Spirit, then we will receive God’s ultimate blessing of a place in the eternal kingdom that He has prepared for us.

The question is: Which path will I choose? Talk to God now about your decision.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Joseph is a member of our Bossley Park Morning congregation.