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Sunday, May 06, 2007
It has been a full three weeks since last I was able to share with you due to my travel and singing schedule. I return this week to build on the themes we’ve discussed thus far; Abundant Life, Our Identity in God, Reflecting the Resurrection in Our Daily, and God’s Undying Love for His Children.
Today we continue with this scripture: Galatians 6:7-9. 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. And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.
As a young child I heard my mother say to my brother while he was dealing with very serious legal trouble, “you reap what you sow.” I didn’t I understand at the time how far-reaching that piece of wisdom was. I didn’t understand that the seed that my mother was talking about and the seed that scripture talks about goes far beyond what a farmer puts into the ground. I would even suggest to you that it goes far beyond the conventional message that is prevalent in many churches today where seed usually refers to money.
The passage of scripture often quoted is 2 Corinthians 9:6-7. “He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.” I will not dispute that this particular passage is discussing monetary seed. I believe, however, that the passage in Galatians encompasses a much broader definition of what seed can be and how powerful it is in our daily life.
Those of you who have grown up in church know many preachers discuss sin in terms of thought, word, and deed. I have come to realize that those three elements can also be looked at as seed. Everything that our minds contemplate, every word that comes out of our mouths and everything we do is a seed that produces a harvest. For those of us who primarily sow to the flesh the scripture says that our harvest will be corruption. While this can be a challenging pill to swallow, we understand that everything on this earthly plane will one day pass away. What a waste it would be to spend all our time focused on the things that have no value in eternity. We all like nice things, but what should our priorities be. On the contrary, the scripture makes a bold statement that those who sow to the Spirit will reap life everlasting. If you remember my very first post, I told you that it was God’s absolute intention for his children to live abundantly. I also said that this abundance was not mere material abundance but it was also spiritual abundance.
This begs the question; how does one sow to the Spirit? There are two passages of scripture that I would like to share with you. The first deals with things that can be categorized as flesh and as Spirit. The second passage helps us to direct our thoughts in such a way to stay at peace in our minds. Galatians 5:19-23. Now the doings (practices) of the flesh are clear (obvious): they are immorality, impurity, indecency, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, anger (ill temper), selfishness, divisions (dissensions), party spirit (factions, sects with peculiar opinions, heresies), envy, drunkenness, carousing, and the like. I warn you beforehand, just as I did previously, that those who do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the [Holy] Spirit [the work which His presence within accomplishes] is love, joy (gladness), peace, patience (an even temper, forbearance), kindness, goodness (benevolence), faithfulness, gentleness (meekness, humility), self-control (self-restraint, continence). Against such things there is no law [that can bring a charge].
Philippians 4:8. Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
If we examine our lives closely we can’t help but see ourselves in these passages (thank God for Grace and mercy). When scripture points out our shortcomings it is very easy to see the Bible as irrelevant and outdated. But if we judge our own life by the scripture we are presented with a wonderful opportunity for monumental spiritual growth and maturation.
Your thoughts, concerns, comments, and questions are always welcome. General comments can be left here on the site. Things of a more personal nature can be sent to me via email or Myspace.
The Lord bless you and keep you; The Lord make is face to shine upon you, and be gracious unto you; The Lord lift up His countenance upon you and give you peace.
Email Albert: albertrlee@hotmail.com
On Myspace
Labels: Religion, Spirituality
4 Comments:
..this is like the "Farmer's Almanac for Sinners" ! .. well written and researched Albert !!!
And now for the challenge round:
@you Captain.. let's see you turn this into an anti-gay rant !! take your most puerile shot.
May 07, 2007 7:30 PM
I praise the article by Mr. Lee. I found it enjoyable.
I do want to add that by sowing in Spirit, we must mortify the deeds of our flesh and pursue to be the image and likeness of Christ Jesus in our hearts, mind, soul and body. We cannot have our own agenda and personal plans and force God to bless what we create in our own human, finite, limited mindset with filthy desires and wicked ways. We are created to please God. However, the sin we practice in our lives can disconnect us from the spiritual relationship God wish for us to have with Him. Homosexuality, which is one of the burning, painstaking affliction in our flesh, if not subjected to Christ, by walking in the Spirit, can lead us to death, torment, and destruction. We can miss the kingdom of heaven just because we wish to justify our sin as acceptable to God because of the love of Jesus and His death for all humanity. We either need to be HOT or COLD. To be lukewarm, trying to be spiritual will only throw us farther from the Father (Revelation 3:16)
May 08, 2007 12:24 AM
Thank you for the compliment Captain. This is certainly a different approach for you.
What I have come to understand about the ministry of Christ to the poor, outcast, downtrodden, and anyone who is the overlooked or mistreated in society is that He used every opportunity to build them up and to forgive them. I have said some of the same things to people that you say until I realized that Jesus told his disciples in John 20:21-23 "Jesus said, "Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you." And with that he breathed on them and said, "Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive anyone his sins, they are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven."
Remember, Paul said in 2 Corinthians 4:3 "But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:" When people who know Christ in the pardoning of their sins don't extend this same forgiveness to all people they become a stumblingblock to the salvation of people. The only price on salvation is the shed blood of Christ. That price paid at Calvary. Your works of righteousness are meaningless. Isaiah 64:4 says "But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away."
I think you would agree that your relationship with Christ has changed your life. The change occurs as you submit your whole life to Christ. The body of Christ must offer this relationship to the world in the same spirit Christ gave it to us.
May 08, 2007 9:37 AM
I agree Albert. However, let me remind all of the readers that forgiveness of sin is the beginning. We need God Spirit to convict us of the inner most elements that doesn't reflect the true image and likeness God created us to become. All things will be tried by Fire.
May 08, 2007 1:40 PM
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