I was reading through Galatians last night and when I got to chapter 6 I had to stop and spend some time in prayer. There is a verse there at the end of Paul's letter to the Galatians that says:
Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap.
As I read this in the context of what was being said here I had to ask myself, what am I sowing? Am I sowing to the flesh which leads to destruction, or am I sowing to the Spirit which leads to everlasting life? This is a question that each of us must ask, and the answer to this question will determine if you are walking (or are not walking) with Christ.
As I was reading this and praying my way through it I remembered an excerpt I had read from Puritan author Matthew Mead. In his book The Almost Christian he wrote:
"God has set a day on which He is going to judge the world in righteousness."
Reader! Meditate much on the strictness and suddenness of that judgment-day, through which you must pass, into your everlasting state; wherein God, the impartial judge, will require an exact account at your hands of all your talents and blessings. You must then account . . .
and for means of grace—how they have been improved.
- for time—how you have spent that;
- for estate—how you have employed that;
- for strength—how you have laid out that;
- for afflictions and mercies—how they have been improved;
- for the duties—how they have been discharged;
Look! how we have sowed here on earth—we shall reap for eternity!
Reader, these are things which above all others, deserve most of, and call loudest for—our utmost care and endeavors; though they are least minded, by most people.Consider what a spirit of atheism (if we may judge the tree by the fruits—and the principle by the practice) the hearts of most men are filled with, who live, as ifGod were not to be served,
nor Christ to be sought,
nor lust to be mortified,
nor self to be denied,
nor the Scripture to be believed,
nor the judgment-day to be minded,
nor hell to be feared,
nor heaven to be desired,
nor the soul to be valued;but give up themselves to a worse than brutish sensuality, "Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, with a continual lust for more!" (Ephesians 4:19). This is a reflection fit enough to break our hearts!
"Know that for all these things God will bring you to judgment!"
"Don't be deceived: God is not mocked. For whatever a man sows he will also reap!" Galatians 6:7
Matthew Mead "The Almost Christian" (1661)
I encourage you to take some time to prayerfully read through the book of Galatians over the next few days and ask yourself the question, "to what am I sowing?" If you find that you have been sowing to the flesh in any area of your life, repent of it and turn to God. He is merciful and He will forgive! Then do what Paul said and walk by the Spirit and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.
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