We have been learning from
Paul the apostle's words to the Galatians ways to behave toward
others. We are to restore one another when we have failings. We are
to bear one another's burdens, and we are to bear our own burdens by
minding the work that we have rather than always examining others.
Paul said we should communicate with those who teach in the word, and
today he introduces the idea of reciprocity. The law of reciprocity
has been stated in many ways, and in chapter six and verse seven Paul
makes reference to this law in a manner in which no one should
forget. He said:
Be not deceived; God is
not mocked: for whatsoever a man sows, that shall he also reap.
When
looking at this verse, we must heed the warning Paul gives
immediately, “Be not deceived;” The implication is that we
may be deceived, so we should pay particularly close attention to
what he is about to write. Paul knows of the deception that lie in
the bounds of the Galatian church, and if they have been deceived in
the matter of the Judaizers, they may also be deceived in the way
they communicate with those who teach the word.
Next
Paul says, “God is not mocked:”
The word mocked means, “to turn up the nose or sneer at, to
mock, or deride”. It is interesting that Paul relays these words
just after sharing that the church members should support their
ministers. Paul desires that his readers know that God will not have
any to turn their nose up or sneer at or deride Him when it concerns
the delivery of His gospel. Ministers who share the gospel are so
important to God that He allows Paul to share that He will not be
mocked concerning the manner in which people support them.
Paul continues, “for
whatsoever a man sows, that shall he also reap.” Paul employs
the law of reciprocity to emphasize his point. People choose what
sort of seed they are sowing, and they choose the amount that is
sown. The certainty is that whatever is sown whether it be joy or
curses will certainly return upon the one who sows. If a corn seed is
sown, corn is harvested. If peas are sown, peas are harvested. If
apple seeds are sown, apples are reaped, and so on. This law does not
just apply to vegetables or fruit. It also applies to behavior. For
example, if abundant sharing is sown, abundant sharing will be
reaped. If joy is sown, joy will be reaped. If theft is sown, theft
will be reaped, and on and on it goes. It's been said in many ways:
“What goes around, comes around”, “It will come full circle”,
or “karma”. However Jesus said it in this manner in Matthew
chapter seven and verses one and two:
Judge not, that you be
not judged. For with what judgment you judge, ye shall be judged: and
with what measure you mete, it shall be measured to you again.
In other
words, the manner in which we treat others will be reciprocated back
to us.
Have we
considered the gravity and weight of this verse? Have we sown good
seed or bad seed with others in our lives? If we were to see our
harvest today would we be filled with joy or sorrow over the results?
Perhaps as we meditate upon these words we will examine ourselves and
scrutinize our behavior toward not only those who teach us the word,
but also those with whom the Lord Jesus has put within our paths.
Next time Paul will share the ways we can sow, so read ahead, and let
us join together then.
Until
tomorrow...there is more...
Look for
the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation
to Generation” in all major
bookstore
sites, www.amazon.com ; www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to
e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore
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