Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today- August 1, 2011
“Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” Galatians 6:8-9
Like a fatigued farmer who engages the elements and still sows seed in prepared soil, in spite of the harsh conditions—so committed Christians stay true to sowing to please the Spirit—regardless of rejection and the temptation to quit. Each follower of Jesus will enjoy heaven’s great harvest or will be embarrassed and judged for lack of a fruitful life. So we sow to please the Spirit—even when it seems unproductive—for here is faith’s test.
“But he knows the way that I take; when he has tested me, I will come forth as gold” (Job 23:10).
There is a recompense of reward reserved for those who persevere in righteousness. It may be in this life or the one to come, but we can be assured that Almighty God’s justice will prevail. If the Christian life was always easy everyone would want in, but the Lord in His infinite wisdom made the way of His will a faith journey that requires spiritual standards. The folly of the flesh leads to fatigue, but the Spirit’s insights leads to stamina.
Are you morally fatigued? Do you question if doing good deeds really matters? If so, ask yourself why you do what you do? If it is to please the flesh then you will live in chronic weariness, but if your motive is to please the Spirit you will find energy beyond yourself. A life well lived finds a way to remain faithful, especially when obedience doesn’t seem to matter. Christ’s followers who sow to please the Spirit are hopeful of a coming harvest.
Therefore, stay faithful as you sow to please the Spirit: sow seeds of forgiveness and receive a harvest of intimacy; sow seeds of acceptance and receive a harvest of friendship; sow seeds of prayer and receive a harvest of faith; sow seeds of generosity and receive a harvest of abundance; sow seeds of abstinence and receive a harvest of purity; and sow seeds of faithfulness and receive a harvest of eternal rewards. Spiritual sowing and reaping builds moral muscle. Strong are the saints who are faithful—while waiting on the harvest.
“I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow” (1 Corinthians 3:6).
Where am I morally tired and vulnerable? What good moral seeds can I sow to the Spirit?
Related Readings: Job 4:8; Psalm 126:5; Proverbs 11:18; Hosea 8:7; 10:12; 2 Corinthians 9:6; James 3:18
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Dear Mr. Baily,
Regarding, “Each follower of Jesus will enjoy heaven’s great harvest or will be embarrassed and judged for lack of a fruitful life”; The thought of going to Heaven to be embarrased is laughable. I just recently began receiving this newsletter (I’ve read 3). It will be my last. This type of fear/guilt ridden teaching is disappointing at best and, if I were a non/or new believer, might push me away completely. I pray you reconsider this erroneous interpretation.
1John 4:18, “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.”
I believe you read too much into 1Corinthians 3:14, and not enough into Ephesians 6:8. Embarrassment in Heaven? I don’t think so.
Respectfully, In Christ’s Love,
Jon Wissler
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