Sowing Seed
Galatians 6: 7-8 says "Be not deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life."
When this passage is read in the context of the preceding verses, the thought that is communicated is that if you choose to please your flesh, you will die, but if you choose to please the Spirit, you will live.
But look carefully at verse 24 of chapter 5: "Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires."
Jesus spoke of crucifixion in this way: "If anyone will follow me, he must take up his cross daily." He also said "If you seek to save you life, you will lose it; but if you lose your life for My sake, you will keep it."
Let me connect these thoughts together with this statement: You sow seed by giving yourself.
Whatever you give yourself to, your heart to, is what you are sowing towards. And you will reap a harvest from that field. If you give your heart continually to the desires of the Spirit, you will reap eternal life, the fruit of the spirit.
It is also important to note that you cannot reap a harvest without planting seed. Too often we are trying to reap spiritual results (more peace, more joy, more victory) but we haven't planted any seed. As a result, we often "try harder", trying to "save our lives". But this only leads to frustration.
Instead, we need to let go of our own self preservation and give ourselves completely to the Lord. In doing so we plant seed in the spirit. And be not deceived. God is not mocked. You will reap a harvest in due season.
When this passage is read in the context of the preceding verses, the thought that is communicated is that if you choose to please your flesh, you will die, but if you choose to please the Spirit, you will live.
But look carefully at verse 24 of chapter 5: "Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires."
Jesus spoke of crucifixion in this way: "If anyone will follow me, he must take up his cross daily." He also said "If you seek to save you life, you will lose it; but if you lose your life for My sake, you will keep it."
Let me connect these thoughts together with this statement: You sow seed by giving yourself.
Whatever you give yourself to, your heart to, is what you are sowing towards. And you will reap a harvest from that field. If you give your heart continually to the desires of the Spirit, you will reap eternal life, the fruit of the spirit.
It is also important to note that you cannot reap a harvest without planting seed. Too often we are trying to reap spiritual results (more peace, more joy, more victory) but we haven't planted any seed. As a result, we often "try harder", trying to "save our lives". But this only leads to frustration.
Instead, we need to let go of our own self preservation and give ourselves completely to the Lord. In doing so we plant seed in the spirit. And be not deceived. God is not mocked. You will reap a harvest in due season.