“Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.”
(Galatians 6:7-10)
For 20 years I worked in the aerospace industry, 3 years in the supply cell as a shipper-receiver and then another 17 years working on the machine shop floor as an inspector. During my time there I heard a lot of talk about finances and about planning for the future. No one, it seemed, was happy with their wages and everyone was concerned about their retirement. People wondered about where they ought to invest their money in order to get the biggest return on their investments. The concern is not wrong-headed of course. Sooner or later, everyone working there will have to step away from the job and rely on some other source of income. I found it strange, however, that while most were planning for their eventual retirement, so few were interested in planning for their eventual departure from this world. Since the death rate among humans is 100% (Joshua 23:14; 1 Kings 2:2; Hebrews 9:27), you’d think that most people would make plans concerning what lies beyond their earthly existence. Sadly, this is not the case. I witnessed to many people on that machine shop floor and only a few received Jesus for salvation. It was a bit like Paul’s experience in Athens (Acts 17:32-34). Whatever the case, the Bible is clear that God is keeping a close eye on the affairs of men. He assures us that how we conduct ourselves in this life—what we do or choose not to do—will cause ripple effects that will affect not only our lives here, but even our existence beyond the grave. Today’s verse passage reminds us that God has a very different economy than that of fallen, unregenerate men. In this world, dominated as it is by the satanic spirit of the age, we are constantly encouraged to “sow to the flesh,” that is, to fulfill its desires and obey its directives. Sometimes it feels like the whole world is thinking this way. Of course this is not the case; God always has a faithful remnant on the earth (1 Kings 19:18; Isaiah 1:9; 10:20-22; 11:11, 16; Jeremiah 23:3; et al). Even if this were the case, God would still be true and every man would be a liar (Romans 3:4). In these last of days, may the members of the household of faith remind one another of God’s plans, purposes, and promises concerning those that love and trust Him. Though the world will certainly not commend or reward us for our faithfulness to Christ in this life, the Holy God of Heaven surely will in the next (Matthew 6:4, 6; 10:41-42; 16:27; Luke 6:22-23, 35; 14:14; 1 Corinthians 3:11-14).
God bless,
pastor john
English