“Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap”—Galatians 6:7.
Recently, a Festival of the Laity SEEDS Conference was held in the Atlantic Union, sponsored by the Atlantic Union Conference Personal Ministries Department. The purpose of the conference was to train, inspire, and encourage the faithful in their service for others as they emulate the principles of Christ.
The Apostle Paul reminds us in the book of Galatians (chapter 6) that we are not to be weary in well doing, to sow good seeds of kindness, and if we do, we will reap eternal life (verses 8, 9). On the contrary, if we sow in the “flesh,” we will reap corruption. We cannot fool an all-knowing God. “Whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap” (verse 7). It is so in nature. If we oppose the law of gravity, it will crush us. In the realm of providence, it is also true. Evil practices will result in being punished.
Sins of lust can and will bring destruction to the body morally, physically, and spiritually. Idolatry has led individuals to cruel and degrading practices. Uncontrolled temper has caused domestic murders, societal misery, and international wars. Sins of appetite and gluttonous debauchery can and will bring one to eventual ruin. Malice and gossip eats away at the heart, devours the soul, and wreaks havoc, even among believers in the household of faith.
Imagine with me the mindless foolishness of a person who gathers some small pebbles, paints them so they resemble wheat seeds, and puts them in the soil during the spring, expecting to reap a crop of wheat in the harvest like his neighbor’s crop. We would consider this silly trick to be madness—to think we can mock nature and nature’s God!
However, if we sow seeds of faith (even as small and insignificant as a mustard seed, Mark 4:31) and obedience to God, along with seeds of love, truth, justice, and patience toward men, we shall reap bountifully (2 Corinthians 9:6).
The ultimate question for every child of faith is not whether I will sow or not sow today. The only question to be decided is, “Shall I sow good seeds or bad?” Every person every day is sowing for his or her own harvest in eternity, either seeds of tares or seeds of genuine wheat.
May the spirit of God guide us each day to sow only the best seeds—seeds that will flourish and blossom for all eternity.
Donald G. King is president of the Atlantic Union Conference and chairman of the Atlantic Union College, Inc., Board of Trustees.