HARVEST TIME

"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." - Galatians 6:8

Last week, I wrote about the law of sowing and reaping.  We learned that the law was a natural law and a spiritual law.  The law is active whether a person consciously knows it or not. 

Many people are reaping what they have sown.  For instance, some are in prison, reaping what they have sown.  Others are reaping, experiencing the ill affects of substance abuse.  Then there are people who are reaping what they've sown as they struggle with sexually transmitted diseases.  Although these examples may seem extreme to most people, they are reminders that we are responsible for our decisions & that we reap what we sow.

Despite all the reaping going on in our world right now, the great harvest is yet to come.  Paul wrote, "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."  Harvest time is coming.  People will be reaping what they have sown.

The Bible makes it very clear that every person will some day stand before God.  Judgment is coming to all of us. 

As I wrote last week, the law of sowing & reaping can be positive or negative. That is certainly the case with the judgment to come.  Paul wrote that some will ultimately reap corruption and others will reap life everlasting.  What will cause some to face corruption while others enjoy eternal life?  The answer is found in the life they sowed.

Paul wrote, "For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption."  Those who've lived apart from God will spend eternity apart from Him.  Ultimately, Jesus will reject those who've rejected Him.  People who deny Christ here on earth will be denied entrance into heaven.  People will reap what they have sown.  People who've sown to the wind will reap the whirlwind.  Men who've pursued sin will reap the consequences because Paul wrote, "... the wages of sin is death."  If a man plays with fire, he WILL get burnt.  It is wrong for a man or woman to live like the devil and still expect to go to heaven.  They will reap what they've sown.

On the other side of the coin, Paul wrote, "... but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting."  Harvest time is coming for those who belong to the Lord.  Those who've sown "to the Spirit," have been changed by the power of the Spirit.  The Spirit had convicted, converted and changed them.  They've been born again by the Spirit.  The Spirit of God indwells them.  The Spirit of God directs them.  The Spirit of God is sanctifying them.  Ultimately, the Spirit of God will raise them.  These disciples of Jesus have died to sin and denied self in order to follow Him.  God has invested much in these saints & they are investing in Him.  They are laying up treasures in heaven.  They are sowing in the Spirit and not the flesh.  They have received Jesus, confessed Jesus and trusted in Jesus.  He is their all-in-all.  He is precious to them.  They have found the Pearl of Great Price and have sold out to invest in Him.  They, too, will reap what they have sown.  They have sown to the Spirit & through the Spirit they are reaping everlasting life.

Which really describes your life?  If you live for the devil, you will spend eternity with him.  If you live for Jesus, you will spend eternity with Him. 

Harvest time is coming & you will reap what you've sown.