LEARNING DAILY

Galatians 6:7-8, Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. 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.

Pastor Ed Newton finished his series in Galatians with talking about a few verses in chapter 6. He explained individuals are responsible for their own actions and should be gentle in their response to others when they fail. Walking on the narrow way is about obedience to Jesus Christ in one’s life; it is also about encouraging others in their daily walk on the narrow way and supporting them in the struggles they face. Pastor Newton reminded us that we are not to judge others – that’s God’s responsibility. Instead, Believers are to help restore another who has been caught in wrong behavior to walk on the narrow way in obedience. I related to Pastor’s comment, “I’m only one step away from stupid, every day!”

He also emphasized Paul’s warning to be careful when you help someone that you are not pulled down into the person’s sinful behavior when trying to help them. Every believer is to be growing, maturing, in their walk in faith with Jesus so that helping another does not become a problem. If needed, get help from a mature Christian so your own walk is not compromised.

Pastor also dealt with an important issue found in verse 3, “For if anyone thinks he is something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself.” Pride! “Pride gets in the way of walking with Christ” (PN). Here we deal with the verses above. Not one of us should be deceived about what we do, say, or about our attitude. Each of us is either sowing (throwing out seeds) to the desires of the flesh and the world, or we are sowing seeds of righteousness. One of the things I have learned over years of walking with the Lord is He does not eliminate free choice. The decisions each of us make lead to natural consequences. We must stop believing that because of God’s grace and forgiveness of sin you will not suffer harm or consequences if you continue to sin. To believe that is to mock God; “He is not mocked!” The person who focuses on fulfilling the desires of the flesh will reap the fruit of that investment. Read Galatians 5:19-21, not a pretty list!

Reaping follows sowing! Paul wrote it this way in 1 Corinthians 3:8, “He who plants and he who waters are one, and each will receive his wages according to his labor.” God rewards the one who works. You do what you know is right and God causes growth to happen. The law of sowing and reaping teaches us about God’s justice and His mercy. Paul is clear that it is possible “to sow to the flesh” meaning to invest our lives into serving ourselves. Those who do this are sowing to corruption because our ability to do good in our own power is corrupted with sin. It is the same with doing things because it “feels good to our bodies.” That is just pampering sin.

Pastor Newton said “Believers are to ‘preach to yourself’ each day what Jesus has done for you. When you gave your life to Him [and began walking the narrow way], your life became about Him, no longer about you.” “Good works cannot save you; only Jesus can. Your debt was paid. Stop boasting in what you do; start boasting in what Jesus did.” (Target statement and takeaway for the message listed on the Listener Guide).