Hello
Friends!
During
this week’s gathering, we’ll continue to work our way through the book written
to the Galatians as we consider
the ONE and ONLY saving “salvation” message of “Jesus Christ” as decreed throughout this excellent
Epistle – “Only ONE Gospel!”
Galatians: Only ONE Gospel! (Chapter 6:7-10)
7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth,
that shall he also reap. 8 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. 9 And let us not be weary
in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. 10 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
OPENING POINTS TO PONDER: Up to this point in
this excellent “epistle” to the Galatians, the great “Apostle
Paul” has carefully compiled his main THEOLOGICAL thesis.
And now the only remaining details are to provide a final admonition
of address. The great bulk of what Paul wanted to soundly “say”
to these folks has been said. In the FIRST two chapters he has established his GOD-APPOINTED Apostolic AUTHORITY and
in the SECOND two chapters he established the DIVINELY destined
“doctrine” of God’s “salvation”
by His great “grace” absolutely – ALONE!
The
“Christian” life is NOT one of brash “bondage”
to some LEGAL system of “religion”
as such. Nor is it a fickle “fleshly”
sordid SELF-EFFORT of sorts.
Rather, it IS indeed a fruitful FREEDOM
from the “law” through an OBEDIENT longing
“life” of willful “walking”
in “Holy Spirit” power. And in the previous
passages of this very CONVICTING
chapter, Paul has given SOLID instructions to the MATURE mindful “Christians”
as to HOW they can rightly “restore”
those “weaker” ones of whom have “fallen” into the terrible TRAP set
by the “false teachers” who have BEGUN to
falsely “believe” that the true “Christian” life is one of LEGALISM through
“keeping” man-made rituals, traditions
and ceremonies…
Him that is weak in the faith
receive ye, but not to doubtful disputations. For one believeth that he may eat
all things: another, who is weak, eateth herbs. Let not him that eateth despise
him that eateth not; and let not him which eateth not judge him that eateth:
for God hath received him. Who art thou that judgest another man's servant? to
his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is
able to make him stand. One man esteemeth one day above another: another
esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind. He
that regardeth the day, regardeth it unto the Lord; and he that regardeth not
the day, to the Lord he doth not regard it. He that eateth, eateth to the Lord,
for he giveth God thanks; and he that eateth not, to the Lord he eateth not,
and giveth God thanks. For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to
himself. For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die
unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord's – Romans
14:1-8
In
fact, there may even be UNSAVED people connected to the “churches in Galatia” of whom further “believe” that soul “salvation”
is through a PHYSICAL cutting by “circumcision” of the “flesh”
itself. WHY? Because that's what these
“religious” jaundice – Judaisers
WRONGLY wrought!
Therefore,
the “Apostle Paul” provides for “us” yet another poignant principle pattern
concerning the DIVINE loving “law”
of “God” as Biblically – STATED! EXPLAINED!
FULFILLED! APPLIED!
God’s
DIVINE law ~ STATED!
Whether
these folks were “unbelievers” looking for a WORKS based
self-empowered “salvation” or if they were
legitimate “Christians” of whom had
foolishly FALLEN into “carnal”
self-effort, this general principle applies to
everyone! However, there were indeed “some”
who were NOT ready to be “restored”
to right FELLOWSHIP before the Lord. Thus, Paul desires to drive home
the TRUTH of
“God” to them in that they'd better spiritually
shape up. WHY? Because the CONSEQUENCES of
what they were DOING are indeed VERY bad to behold…
Be not
deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also
reap – Galatians
6:7
THEOLOGICAL THOUGHTS: We can NOT consistently “live”
in the “flesh” and have spiritual FREEDOM in our walk. WHY?
Because “whatsoever”
we personally “sow” is what we WILL indeed “reap”
as a result! And the literal Greek means to “turn up the nose”
in a SCOFFING and IGNORING
attitude towards “God” by thinking you can VIOLATE His “laws” and get away with it…
Even as I have
seen, they that plow iniquity, and sow wickedness, reap the same – Job 4:8
But if ye will
not do so, behold, ye have sinned against the Lord: and be sure your sin will
find you out – Numbers 32:22
Therefore shall
they eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own devices – Proverbs 1:31
The wicked
worketh a deceitful work: but to him that soweth righteousness shall be a sure
reward – Proverbs 11:18
For they have
sown the wind, and they shall reap the whirlwind: it hath no stalk; the bud
shall yield no meal: if so be it yield, the strangers shall swallow it up – Hosea 8:7
Sow to
yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground: for it
is time to seek the Lord,
till he come and rain righteousness upon you. Ye have plowed wickedness, ye
have reaped iniquity; ye have eaten the fruit of lies: because thou didst trust
in thy way, in the multitude of thy mighty men – Hosea 10:12-13
Woe unto the
wicked! it shall be ill with him: for the reward of his hands shall be given
him – Isaiah 3:11
Thus,
Paul WARNS through
this pivotal passage that we “Be not deceived”
in our headstrong – HEART!
QUIZZING QUESTION: That's a very interesting
comment by Paul. WHY? Because these fickle
folks had ALREADY been “deceived”
as such…
O foolish Galatians, who hath
bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus
Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you? This
only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or
by the hearing of faith? Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye
now made perfect by the flesh? – Galatians 3:1-3
Am I therefore become your enemy,
because I tell you the truth? They zealously affect you, but not well; yea,
they would exclude you, that ye might affect them. But it is good to be
zealously affected always in a good thing, and not only when I am present with
you… I desire to be present with you now, and to change my voice; for I stand
in doubt of you – Galatians 4:16-18 & 20
Stand
fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not
entangled again with the yoke of bondage. Behold, I Paul say unto you, that if
ye be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing. For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that
he is a debtor to do the whole law. Christ is become of no effect unto you,
whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace – Galatians 5:1-4
Therefore,
Paul succinctly REMINDS them “again”
that there are CONSEQUENCES to their “foolish”
behavior … Stop BEING deceived!
Usually
a WARNING of
dire CONSEQUENCES such
as this stands as a strong MOTIVATION for personal change. Therefore,
Paul says “be not deceived” in your “walk” with the Lord. WHY?
Because “God is not mocked” at all!
In other words, Paul pleas: “What you're doing is
going to reap for you a terrible consequence!” This is TRUE concerning
the physical, moral
and spiritual
universal “law” of “God” Himself – Sowing &
Reaping!
God’s
DIVINE law ~ EXPLAINED!
In
fact, IF you keep “sowing” to your FOOLISH fallen “flesh”
itself, you ARE going to “reap”
rightful HAVOC upon your own “soul” eternal…
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
CONTEXTUAL COMMENTS: There are TWO fertile fields in which we can solemnly SOW our “lives” unto: The field of the “flesh”
itself OR the field of the
“Spirit” Himself. To “soweth
to the flesh” is the act of choosing to greatly GRATIFY the
“carnal” crass cravings of “sin” from within. And the “Galatians” particular act of the fallen “flesh” was their attempting to “live” in the field of “Christian”
life through
their OWN energy LEGALISTICALLY lurching in their self-effort of
heart:
Now the
works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication,
uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry,
witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,
Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of
the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they
which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God – Galatians
5:19-21
Know ye not that the unrighteous
shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor
idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with
mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners,
shall inherit the kingdom of God – 1
Corinthians 6:9-10
Therefore,
Paul poignantly presents proof that the looming “law of God” is going to take ETERNAL effect
in their licentious lives IF they do NOT intentionally CHANGE for Him. Thus, if they CONTINUE to selfishly “sow”
to the “flesh” by living “carnally” or trying to “please God” by their waning “works” of self or even
attempting to EARN their soul’s “salvation”
in kind… They are indeed “sowing”
to the “flesh” and will rightly “reap corruption” indeed – Carnal CORRUPTION!
Conversely, to “soweth to the Spirit” will
rightly “reap” a “life everlasting” from “God” as the act of CHOOSING to be preoccupied with
Him as we are “filled by the Spirit”
through a longing “life” of willingly “walking in the Spirit” as such:
This I
say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. For
the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and
these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that
ye would. But if ye be led of the
Spirit, ye are not under the law – Galatians 5:16-18
And be not drunk with wine,
wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; Speaking to yourselves in
psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart
to the Lord; Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the
name of our Lord Jesus Christ; Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear
of God – Ephesians 5:18-21
This
wonderful “walk” represents a “life everlasting”
that is completely controlled by the “Spirit”
Himself. It rightly REVEALS a caring “Christ”
conscious course of studying the “Word of God”
of which predominantly prays for His “will” and is thus dominated by the “things of the Spirit” afresh – Wonderful WALK!
God’s
DIVINE law ~ FULFILLED!
It
was the great Puritan John Brown who once proclaimed:
"Christians are like children. They would to
sow and reap the same day!"
Similarly,
“some” of “us”
may even become “weary”
of such FAITHFUL solemn “sowing” for so long. WHY?
Because a hardy HARVEST hasn’t been ETERNALLY rightly “reaped”
as of yet…
And let
us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not
– Galatians
6:9
BIBLICAL BACKGROUND: Paul ENCOURAGES these folks to NOT be woefully “weary”
of their “well doing” by a consistent
act of “sowing to the Spirit” in HIS timing.
Incidentally, the Greek word for “weary”
utilized here is ekkakeo reminiscent of a hard
working farmer of whom begins to slacken his great EXERTION due to frail fatigue…
Therefore, my
beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of
the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord… – 1 Corinthians 15:58
Therefore seeing we have this
ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not; But have renounced the
hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word
of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to
every man's conscience in the sight of God… But we have this treasure in
earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.
We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in
despair; Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed; Always
bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of
Jesus might be made manifest in our body – 2
Corinthians 4:1-2 & 7-10
But ye,
brethren, be not weary in well doing – 2 Thessalonians 3:13
I have
fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness,
which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me
only, but unto all them also that love his appearing – 2 Timothy 4:7-8
Wherefore seeing
we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay
aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run
with patience the race that is set before us – Hebrews 12:1
Many
wonderful “Christians” have been very FAITHFUL unto
our “Lord Jesus Christ” and have sweetly “sowed” for a long time by HIS power.
In fact, YOU may be growing “weary”
of serving
the Lord, soundly “sowing” when you haven't seen
much “reaping” and perhaps have expected
more… Brethren, we must NOT grow “weary”
in this luminous “life” of serious service
unto our sweet “Savior” Divine. WHY? Because God’s eternal “salvation” fruit-filled – Reward WILL come!
God’s
DIVINE law ~ APPLIED!
Lastly,
Paul points BACK to the basis of what he's just said as “we” have “therefore”
an amazing “opportunity”
from God's inviolable loving “laws”
eternal…
As we
have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them
who are of the household of faith – Galatians 6:10
This
is a wonderful statement! The Greek word kairosis is translated as “opportunity”
and refers to a seasonable time. Incidentally, Paul isn’t saying “do good” when others GIVE you an “opportunity”
to serve them. Rather, it is saying to “do
good” by purposefully LOOKING for the “opportunities”
to “do good” through LOVING service to them rightly – Make THE opportunity!
And
Paul instructs “let us do good unto all men”
alike. Do we “do good” unto the UNSAVED people
as well? YES! This point is very so important.
WHY? Because these “men” are assessing their
jaded view of “Christians” and “Jesus Christ” Himself from what we DO ultimately
“unto” them. And our “good”
done before the LOST wicked “world”
can have a profound affect...
In all things shewing thyself a
pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity,
sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part
may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you – Titus
2:7-8
Having your conversation honest
among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may
by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of
visitation. Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake:
whether it be to the king, as supreme; Or unto governors, as unto them that are
sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do
well. For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the
ignorance of foolish men: As free, and not using your liberty for a cloke of
maliciousness, but as the servants of God. Honour all men. Love the
brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king – 1 Peter
2:12-17
POIGNANT POINT: Spiritually LOST people everywhere of the “contrary part” are violently “speaking against” Biblical “Christianity” and the BEST way to “silence”
some of this nonsense is to “do good”
to them. Rather than simply focusing only on how articulate
we are with presenting the “gospel”
to them, we MUST also be concerned about how “good” we are to these UNSAVED people in our – Marketplaces and
Neighborhoods!
Beloved,
if “we” will be mindful to “do good” for others, “God”
Himself will give “us” the necessary “opportunity” to SAY what needs to be SAID concerning the “Gospel”
message. And if “we” wrongly CHOOSE not
to “do good” in kind, our testimony belies
what “we” actually SAY!
Therefore, Paul implores us to “do good”
to ALL men.
And then he ADDS this excellent PRECISE point: "especially
unto them who are of the household of faith" found
within – The FATHER’S Family!
REMNANT REMINDER: If a true “Christian”
habitually “sows to the flesh” they WILL readily
“reap” a caustically CORRUPTED compromising “life”
vividly VOID of the true “Holy Spirit”
inspired “Joy” accompanying the SECURITY of
God’s assuring PROMISE concerning spiritual LIFE
of the “soul” eternal…
And ye have forgotten the
exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou
the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him: For whom
the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. If ye
endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom
the father chasteneth not? But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are
partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons. Furthermore we have had fathers
of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much
rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live? For they verily
for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit,
that we might be partakers of his holiness. Now no chastening for the present
seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the
peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby – Hebrews
12:5-11
Subsequently,
whether “Jew” or “Gentile” as an UNBELIEVER of whom coarsely continues
living in a lethargic “life”
of “evil” and constant
caustic “sowing to the flesh” in
waning UNBELIEF ultimately WILL rightly “reap”
everlasting DEATH in “Tribulation and anguish”
of their “soul” eternal…
Tribulation and
anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of
the Gentile – Romans 2:9
This IS the Sovereign “Law” of “God” through His BIBLICAL mandate – Sowing and Reaping!
In closing:
Absolutely
NO person
can CONTINUE to
valiantly VIOLATE God's “laws”
without SEVERE consequences. It was Oscar Wilde the great English
play write of whom was quite brilliant and capable, had eventually found
himself locked away in PRISON as a homosexual dying in sheer shame
and disgrace.
To this weary end, he penned these PAINFUL
words…
"…I forgot somewhere along the line that what
you are in secret, you will someday cry aloud from the housetop."
~ Oscar Wilde
You
DO indeed “reap”
rightly what you “sow”
and will NOT grossly get away with it – EVER!
And
when a “lost” person gets “saved” by “God”
through “Jesus Christ” alone, that
does NOT necessarily
STOP them
from DESTRUCTIVE drunken
drinking
or senseless smoking rightly RESULTING in caustic cancer and thus, ultimate physical
death. Similarly, when a “Christian”
employs himself in a “foolish”
fist-fight and is hit in the mouth, he WILL
still get his teeth knocked out! In other words, the “law”
of CAUSE and
EFFECT is
still there. Yes… Even for the – CHRISTIAN!
Ultimately,
the “Christian” is “free”
from the CONSEQUENCES of God’s “law” eternal. However, in the day-to-day “living” and “walking”
through this “life” in Him, this great “law” of SOWING & REAPING still affects ALL of us. However, in the ultimate eternal sense of
the “law of God” itself, the final “Tribulation and anguish”
of “sin” has been righteously REMOVED by
the ATONING act
of “Jesus Christ” on the cross – Praise the Lord!
REAL REFLECTIONS: Beloved, may God give US the courage and boldness to “contend earnestly for the faith” that was signed, sealed and delivered some – 2000 years ago…
REAL REFLECTIONS: Beloved, may God give US the courage and boldness to “contend earnestly for the faith” that was signed, sealed and delivered some – 2000 years ago…
Beloved,
when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was
needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly
contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints – Jude 3
Praise the Lord Jesus Christ!
With
these thoughts in consideration towards your own personal studies, please read
through verses 7-10 in the sixth chapter of
the excellent book to the Galatians.
We are not guaranteed tomorrow – tomorrow may be too late! If you haven't yet made that most important decision of your life, won't you make Jesus Christ your personal Lord and Savior today - before it's too late? Today is the day of Salvation!
If you have been blessed by this message or have a specific question, prayer request or testimony, please send me a note to: encouragingconcepts@live.com
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Blessings!
Shane K. Morin <><
Encouraging Concepts
Truth for Today
"Living Life From a Biblical Worldview"