A FRIENDLY REMINDER

Galatians 6:7-8 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.

There is no shortage of people who think they are getting one over on God. Most would not come out and say as much, but our actions always speak louder than our words.

Some people think they are mocking God by not believing in Him, trying to disprove His existence, or belittling His Word. They are not mocking God, they are simply making fools of themselves. God and His Word have stood the test of truth and time. They have been tried and found sweet, tested and found strong, touted and found sure. For thousands of years men and women have found comfort in their Creator's warmth and wisdom. What can His detractors boast?
An opinion? We all have one and it is subject to change daily.
An observation? What new insight is there to disprove or discredit God?
An odium? Bitterness and hatred hardly warrant a fair handling of any subject.

I tend to agree with the Apostle Paul when he said, "let God be true and every man a liar". I do not feel I am even worthy of falling under God's mercy, much less of attempting to place Him at mine!!! It takes a boatload of arrogance to place ones self in the position of judge and jury over GOD!!! He is not mocked. He is just as much God now as he was before anyone was here to question his existence, and he will be as much God long after His last critic passes from the scene.

I honestly have no understanding or sympathy for those who mock God so blatantly, but there is another way we try to mock God. We may never have the gall to shake a fist at the sky and say there is no God, but how many of us live our lives every day as if there was no God. We would never verbalize our skepticism, but when we act as if we can sin and get by with it, we are none the less attempting to mock God.

The Bible says, "The eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding the evil and the good" yet we do things every day that we would not want Him to see! It tells us time is short, Jesus is coming soon, and we act like living a less than holy life is acceptable. We act like we have forever to tell our friends and loved ones about about Jesus. We act like everything else is more important than our spiritual condition.

God is not mocked!!! We will reap what we sow.

This should be all the motivation we ever need to get busy about the Father's business. If we intend to reap a worthwhile harvest, we best start sowing some worthwhile seed!

Oh God, Please get this mentality out of my mind and into my members. I know it's true, You are not mocked, I will reap what I am sowing, yet I keep spreading rotten seeds. If that is ever going to change you are going to have to give me the strength. I'm sick of living the same inconsistent way, but it's all I've ever known. I need Your help, I need Your wisdom, I need Your power, I need YOU!!!

PAYDAY'S ON THE WAY

Proverbs 11:18 The wicked worketh a deceitful work: but to him that soweth righteousness shall be a sure reward.

When someone works there is always a motive. Sometimes it involves pride (like when we work on our yard or wash our car), sometimes it is profit (everybody loves the paycheck), and sometimes it can even be pleasure (the lazy days on the beach are made possible by months of hard work).

Deceitful work is work that does not pay off as expected. I worked for a neighbor as a young boy and expected to be paid minimum wage just like the teenagers who were working with me. I gave it my best effort and when the time came to get paid I was deeply disappointed when I was told that I was getting $1.oo/hour.

It's bad when someone else cheats you out of a hard earned reward, but in this verse, the wicked are not deceived by someone else, but by themselves. Imagine living your whole life and finding out that all you earned was eternal punishment in Hell. Now imagine that there is no one else to blame but yourself!!!

The man who chooses to obey the Word of God and walk in the way of righteousness may have to give up on some temporary pleasures, but in the end he will be vindicated. He will be proven right. He will get the reward he worked for, and much, much more.

-God will not fail to reward those who seek and serve Him!

-God will not fail to punish those who dispute or disregard Him!

This is how I break these verses down;


1. The option that is presented.
A. The way of regret The wicked worketh a deceitful work;
B. The way of reward but to him that soweth righteousness shall be a sure reward.

2. The occasion that is prevented.
A. A false strategy Hosea 8:7 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.
B. A false security Hosea 10:13-14 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. Therefore shall a tumult arise among thy people, and all thy fortresses shall be spoiled, as Shalman spoiled Betharbel in the day of battle: the mother was dashed in pieces upon her children.

3. The outcome that is predicted.
A. An explicit promise Galatians 6:7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.
B. An essential power 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.

Lord, help me to stay on the path of righteousness. Correct me when I go astray. Comfort me when I am discouraged. Whisper in my ear again that those who put their trust in you will never be disappointed. Help me to serve you for the right reason, YOUR GLORY, and to leave the results up to You. YOU ARE GOOD. YOU ARE TRUSTWORTHY. I am yours... completely.