The Bible gives this solemn warning, “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap (Galatians 6:7)”. Following this admonition, we are introduced to two kinds of sowing: “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 (Galatians 6:8)”. As we will see, all kinds of sowing fall under one of these two categories: sowing to the flesh or sowing to the Spirit. The harvest for sowing to the flesh is corruption, i.e. phthora in Greek, which also means destruction. And the kind of sowing that leads to eternal life is referred to as sowing to the Spirit.
Romans 2:7 establishes that it is by persevering in doing good that we reap eternal life. Since the kind of sowing or action that results in eternal life is referred to as sowing to the Spirit (see Galatians 6:8), we can see that sowing to the Spirit equates to doing good. No wonder then that immediately after the two kinds of sowing were mentioned in Galatians 6:8, we were told to not be weary in well doing for in due time we will reap (Galatians 6:9), and also do good to all people, especially to those who are of the household of faith (See Galatians 6:10). We were encouraged to continue doing good because that is what constitutes sowing to the Spirit, with a harvest of eternal life from the Spirit. Those who reap this eternal life also receive glory, honour and peace as the Scripture shows: “there will be… glory, honor and peace for everyone who does good: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile (Romans 2:9-10).
There is no middle ground: we are either sowing to the Spirit or to the flesh in everything we do. Jesus made it clear that “Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters” (Matthew 12:30). If what you are doing does not qualify for sowing to the Spirit then you are sowing to your flesh, and from the flesh will reap corruption or destruction. “Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. (Galatians 5:19-21). This is a warning given to Christians. Romans 2:8-9 adds “but to those who are selfishly ambitious and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness [there will be] wrath and indignation. There will be tribulation and distress for every soul of man who does evil, of the Jew first and also of the Greek (Gentile)”.
Everything God instructs us to do in His Word is good. So is all that the Spirit of the Lord leads us to do. Therefore if we give ourselves to following God’s Word and His Holy Spirit, we will be sowing to the Spirit. And from the Spirit will reap eternal life, glory, honor and peace in this life and in the one to come (1 Timothy 4:8). What better do we have to do?
Kwadwo Omari, PhD.
© January 2017