(Gal 6:7-9 MSG) Don’t be misled: No one makes a fool of God. What a person plants, he will harvest. The person who plants selfishness, ignoring the needs of others — ignoring God! — harvests a crop of weeds. All he’ll have to show for his life is weeds! But the one who plants in response to God, letting God’s Spirit do the growth work in him, harvests a crop of real life, eternal life. So let’s not allow ourselves to get fatigued doing good. At the right time we will harvest a good crop if we don’t give up, or quit.
This morning we continue our new series entitled, “Faith and Patience VOL III – Never Give Up!” Paul’s letter to the Galatians is not long, but it is power-packed with insight and instruction concerning the differences between living under the law, living according the flesh (old mentality), and living a Spirit-led life. Paul taught most of the differences in chapters two, three, and four. In chapter five Paul starts to wrap it up and tie it all together. After explaining the downfalls of a Born-Again believer attempting to live under the law, he states, “Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh” (5:16). Again in verse 18 he tells us to “…be led of the Spirit.” He went on to close chapter five with a detailed list of the fruit of the flesh and the fruit of the Spirit. In chapter 6 he brings the letter to a close. After laying it all out for us, he reminds us that we will have to make a decision and we will reap from whatever we decide to sow (v.7).
The latter portion of our passage (v. 9) is our focus today. Paul said, “So let’s not allow ourselves to get fatigued doing good.” The King James says, “Let us not be weary in well doing.” Paul knew what we all know, and that is that although the Bible promises a harvest, harvest time does not come right away. It would be foolish for a farmer to plant corn today and expect a harvest of corn tomorrow. He knows that it is going to take time. He knows that there is a ‘space’ between planting and reaping, between sowing and receiving, between work and reward. This reminds me of a passage in Mark 4 where Jesus taught a parable about this. Jesus said that the kingdom of God is like a man who scatters seed on the ground. Days go by and whether the man is up or sleeping, it does not matter, the seed is still working. Jesus explained how the soil produces grain: first the stalk, then the head, then the full kernel in the head. And then Jesus said, “As soon as the grain is ripe, he puts the sickle to it, because the harvest has come” (see Mark 4:26-29).
The problem with all of this is that it takes time and the person doing the sowing is never really sure how long it will take before he can enjoy the harvest. That’s why Paul told us not to grow weary. That’s where faith and patience, and joy and peace come in. They will enable you to hold on and then… “At the right time we will harvest a good crop if we don’t give up, or quit.”
So what does this mean to you today? A few things:
1. In God’s system we reap whatever we sow in life.
2. There is an undefined time between ‘sowing time’ and ‘harvest time.’
3. At some point you will feel the pressure to grow weary and give up… but don’t do it! The Bible would not tell you NOT to grow weary, if you were not going to be tempted to do so.
4. Don’t allow yourself to get frustrated. If you do you will quit before harvest time.
5. There is a due season for you to receive what’s due to you, so just hold on!
Closing Confession: Father, I live my life as a sower. Therefore, I shall also live my life as a reaper. I sow seed daily into the lives of others daily. I know that I will never be completely sure how long it will take between the sowing time and harvest time, so instead of sitting around and waiting on one harvest, I will seek to sow seed daily. My continual seed will ensure a continual harvest. I stand on Your Word in faith, I expect my breakthrough/harvest to come, and I hold on until I see what I am believing You for. I refuse to grow weary in well doing. I will reap because I won’t give up, cave in, or quit! In Jesus’ name. Amen.
This is Today’s Word! Apply it and Prosper!
