We are aware of the natural principles of gravity, relativity, electricity etc. Likewise we also have spiritual principles. The term principle means it will have certain determined consequences for a particular type of action. For instance, the principle of gravity determines, what goes up comes down, which means if you throw an apple it will come down.

In nature, we have the principle of sowing and reaping. This principle also applies to our spiritual life. Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows that will he 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. And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith. (Galatians 6:7-10 ESV)

The principle of sowing and reaping has 8 implications:

1)     We reap what we sow

A farmer who sows wheat will surely reap wheat. In spiritual life, it applies to the deeds we sow in our lives through our thoughts, words and actions. It can be a good deed or an evil deed. When we sow good deeds, we will eventually reap goodness, if we sow evil deeds we will be reaping iniquity. Therefore, we need to examine every thought, word and action to determine that we are sowing for the right kind of harvest. As the saying goes, what goes around comes around, we need to be wise in our sowing so that we can be content in our harvest.

2)     It applies to believers as well as unbelievers

Just as the sun shines on the righteous as well as the wicked and the rains pours down on all the same, this principle applies to believers as well as unbelievers equally in the same manner as the law of gravity would not differentiate between an apple and an orange. It will have the same consequence when they are thrown in the air, they will fall to the ground. Likewise, if a believer sows in an evil seed, he will reap the harvest of wickedness. On the other hand, if the evil man changes his ways and sows in goodness, he will reap in goodness.

3)     We reap more than we can sow

A farmer may sow one seed, but receive hundredfold in return for that one seed. Likewise, the seeds we sow too determines a greater harvest compared to the measure we have sown, which gives us more reasons to sow the right kind of seed. If we have sown goodness, we will receive an abundant overflowing harvest.

4)     We reap in different seasons

A farmer waits patiently for his harvest. He sows his seeds in one season and reaps a harvest in another season. Likewise, we sow our seeds and wait for the harvest to come in due time. The word of God encourages us not to grow tired in doing good, for in due season, we will reap. The harvest will not be immediate, but while we are waiting, we must persevere and continue doing good so that when the harvest time comes, we are prepared and ready to reap.

5)     We reap not only for ourselves, but our descendants will reap all that we have sowed

A farmer does not just sow seeds for his own benefit but for his family as well. His produce benefits a wider community. We have to be mindful of everything we sow because our harvest affects other people, especially our loved ones. Our decisions have ripple effects, effecting generations to come. I am grateful for the faith of my forefathers who remained steadfast and fervent in their love for Jesus Christ despite hardship and persecution. Their faith has blessed me in my life. I was born into a Christian family, raised by Christian parents, a faith that has not departed for generations and a faith that will continue for generations to come. I have been blessed because of the seed of faith that they had sown. I have harvested their blessings.

Know therefore that the Lord your God is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, to a thousand generations (Deuteronomy 7:9 ESV).

We see that God is gracious in His mercy. He blesses a good deed for a thousand generations, however a bad deed has its effects only up to the fourth generation.

You shall not bow down to them or serve them, for I the Lord your God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and the fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing steadfast love to thousands of those who love me and keep my commandments. (Exodus 20:5-6 ESV)

6)     Every seed has an outcome

The farmer receives an outcome for every seed he sows, a good harvest for a good seed and a bad harvest for a bad seed. Likewise, every good deed result in a blessing and every evil deed results in a curse or a punishment. God is gracious and merciful and He forgives us our every sin. Nevertheless, even though ever sin is forgiven, every sin has its consequence, the after effect of the deed that has to be borne. Therefore, it is better not to participate in evil, since there are consequences that are inevitable.

7)     You can choose what you sow

A farmer can choose what kind and types of seed, he wants to sow. He can sow just one type of seed and receive a harvest of that type, or he can sow several types of seeds and receive diverse kinds of harvest. We too can sow in different areas of our lives; we can sow spiritually to receive a harvest of eternal life, we can sow into our relationship by strengthening the bonds with our family and friends, we can sow into our health by eating right and exercising regularly, we can sow into our finances, by offering God one tenth of our earnings and being blessed for the rest of our finances. We will be abundantly blessed as we wisely sow in all the areas of our lives.

8)     You receive a special blessing, a reward if you sow into the life of a believer or great punishment if you touch the Lord’s anointed

A believer is a person that witnesses for Jesus Christ, the Lord calls them His ambassadors. If we are good to them, we will receive a blessing over our lives, a seed of good deeds that will be richly blessed beyond measure, because these people represent Jesus Christ. Whoever welcomes a prophet as a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward, and whoever welcomes a righteous person as a righteous person will receive a righteous person’s reward. And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones who is my disciple, truly I tell you, that person will certainly not lose their reward.” (Matthew 10: 41-42 NIV). When someone mistreats the Lord’s anointed, the Lord takes it personally upon Himself to avenge on behalf of the anointed person. Therefore, it is best not to mistreat the Lord’s anointed, even if they are at fault. Let God be their judge and try your best not to offend a minister of God. Just like David did not hurt Saul, because David did not want to go against a person that was anointed by God, even though Saul was at fault, he let God deal with Saul. “Do not touch my anointed ones; do my prophets no harm.” (Psalms 105:15 ESV).

(Visited 1,017 times, 1 visits today)