Every day, every single one of us is at war. We battle against the enemy and the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places, and we also battle against our own selves - the desires of our flesh that are opposed to the desires of the Spirit. Sometimes, this fight can feel extremely lonely, intense and discouraging. How do we stand firm in these moments?
Maybe you are reading this today and you're just wiped out. You're thinking, "I can't keep doing the right thing. It's too hard. I want to quit." Galatians 6:7-10 is a passage that has anchored me through seasons of difficulty and discouragement:
"Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction. Whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers."
You Reap What You Sow
Paul starts this section with: "Do not be deceived." In other words, don't be fooled or allow others to lead you astray. God cannot be mocked. That word "mocked" literally comes from the Greek word for "nose" - like turning your nose up at someone. It's the image of rebellion. And sadly, that's how we often respond to God.
"I know what your Word says, but I'm not going to forgive that person." "I know this relationship is wrong, but I don't care." "I know I shouldn't be sleeping with him or her, but the temptation is just too strong."
We turn our noses up at God, and Scripture says: You're not fooling anyone. You can fool your pastor, your spouse, and even yourself, but you cannot fool God. He sees it all. He's not mocked.
And we will reap what we sow. It's a law, just like other natural laws. Would you ever plant an avocado tree and hope it produces corn? You can try all you want, but it's never going to happen, because it's a law. Avocado trees produce avocados - not corn. It's black and white. Period. A man reaps what he sows.
In the same way, if you sow sin, don't think God is going to bless that. Don't think you can turn your nose up at God, go against His law, and expect Him not to notice. Whatever you plant, that's what you're going to harvest.
Paul says, "The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction." If you're trying to please your flesh, you will reap decay and destruction. You're going to pay for it one way or another.
On the other hand, Paul continues on to say that the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. So if we deny the flesh and live to please God, for all of eternity we will reap His blessings - joy, peace, and perfect intimacy with God forever. What an incredible promise!
Trust God's Timing
I love the next verse: "Let us not become weary in doing good."
Memorize that. Live by it. Don't get tired of doing what's right. Because at the proper time, you'll reap a harvest.
That's the key phrase: at the proper time.
The hard part is, God's idea of "the proper time" is usually different from ours. Sometimes we think, "God, why haven't You punished that person yet?" Other times, "God, I'm doing all the right things - why haven't You rewarded me yet?"
We think God is too slow to punish and too severe when He does. We want immediate consequences - but not too harsh. This is why the idea of an eternal hell is so offensive in our culture. We want justice now, but on our terms.
We live in an arrogant society where everyone thinks their opinion should carry weight. But have you ever considered that maybe with God, you're in over your head? Like when I go to a mechanic, I don't try to fix my own car. I just say, "Do what you need to do." I don't walk into surgery and give the surgeon advice. So what makes us think we should tell Almighty God how to execute justice?
God says, "I'm not mocked. I have a system of justice. I have mercy and compassion that go far beyond yours - and I also have wrath and anger toward sin that surpass anything you can understand."
So just obey. Sow to please the Spirit. Trust that God will reward you at the proper time.
Seize Your Opportunity
Paul concludes this section: "Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers."
Right now, while we're still on this planet, it's seed time. You have an opportunity today, right now, that you might not have tomorrow. As a pastor, I perform funerals all the time. And rarely are any of these people expecting to die. Life is a vapor. You blink, and you're older than you ever thought you'd be. It's over before you know it. That's why Paul says: "While you have opportunity, do good."
You need to think through how you're investing your life. Because nothing in your life matters except what you do for God. That's it. Every ounce of energy, every dollar, every moment spent on anything else is a waste.
I'm constantly re-evaluating my life to make sure I'm investing in what truly matters, because one day, we'll stand before God and see it all clearly. No one in heaven regrets what they gave up for God.
Maybe you have been backsliding or growing complacent in your walk with God. Today is your opportunity to repent and get right with God while you have the chance.
And for those of you who have been holding on, fighting to live God's way, don't give up. Every time you kick out those sinful thoughts - God notices. Every time you forgive someone you didn't want to - God sees it. I know it's hard. I know it can be exhausting. But the Bible promises that the harvest is coming, and when that day comes, you'll see that every single sacrifice was worth it.
"For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal." (2 Corinthians 4:17-18)
