Gospel Bible Baptist Church

Gal. 6:6-10

Introduction

In this portion of the Bible, Paul is teaching us about the Spiritual way of sowing and reaping. Verse 7 is often used to warn the lost of their wickedness and their coming judgement. While this is true, bear in mind that this passage was written to Christians, or God’s people. Just like the unsaved, believers cannot escape the consequences of their sins or short comings. There will come a day when the Lord will judge us at the Judgment Seat of Christ.

I. Reciprocation (Gal. 6:6)
A. Communicate. The Greek word here means to share with others, distribute, be partaker.

1. The believer who listens to the Word of God, those who are taught with the gospel should share material blessings with those who teach them.
   B. In all good things. In everything that is needful for their teacher’s or Pastor’s comfortable survival.

Illustration 1: Echo
Chuck Swindoll tells the story of a young boy who lived with his grandfather high in the Swiss Alps. Often, just to hear the echo of his voice, the boy would go outside, cup his hands around his mouth, and shout, “HELLO!” Up from the canyons the reply reverberated, “HELLO…HELLO…hello…hello…” Then he would call out, “I LOVE YOU…I LOVE YOU…I love you…I love you…”
One day the boy seriously misbehaved and his grandfather disciplined him severely. Reacting violently, the child shook his fist and screamed. “I HATE YOU!” To his surprise, the rocks and boulders across the mountainside responded “I HATE YOU…I HATE YOU…I hate you…”
Today in the Word, April 6, 1992

II. Sowing and Reaping (Gal. 6:7-8)
A. This verse is teaching an agricultural principle that has a moral and spiritual application.
B. Do not be deceived. The word deceived comes from the Greek “planao” and carries the idea of being seduced and lead astray. It means “to roam, err, wander, be out of the way.” False teachings deceive and leads people astray.
C. God is not mocked. He cannot be imposed on, or mocked. He knows what our real character is, and he will judge us accordingly. The word rendered mocked in Greek means, properly, to turn up the nose in scorn; hence to mock, or deride, or insult. The sense is, that God could not be imposed on, or could not be insulted with impunity, He cannot be fooled.
D. “ For whatsoever a man soweth”. This is a spiritual law. We reap what we sow. A man who sows rice, shall reap wheat; he who sows corn, shall reap corn; he who sows mustard, shall reap mustard. Every kind of grain will produce grain like itself. So also it is in regard to our works. He who is liberal, shall be dealt with liberally; he who is righteous, shall be rewarded; he who is a sinner, shall reap according to his deeds.
E. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption. The flesh speaks of our sinful nature. It is a nature that is an enemy of God and hates everything that is holy and decent. For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. (Rom. 7:18) It was the old depraved nature that Jeremiah was speaking of when he said, The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it? (Jer. 17:9) Many who claim to be believers are operating according the old corrupt nature. Such will be their reaping. Even as I have seen, they that plow iniquity, and sow wickedness, reap the same. (Job 4:8)
F. … but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. (Gal. 6:8) God’s people are not dependent on the Flesh. Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh. (Rom. 8:12) God has given us the Holy Spirit to guide us and empower us to live above the flesh. This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. (Gal. 5:16) Rather than a harvest of corruption, we can reap eternal things after the Spirit. Those who operate according to the Spirit of God will reap eternal things. With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men: Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free. (Eph. 6:7-8) Not only in this life will we reap according to our sowing, but also beyond the grave. We can be sure that our deeds will follow us into eternity where we will stand before the Just God of Glory and answer to Him.
G. “Life everlasting” describes not only a life that endures forever but primarily the highest and the best quality of living that one can experience.

Illustration 2: Good Turn Repaid
Many years ago, two boys were working their way through Stanford University. Their funds got desperately low, and the idea came to them to engage Padarewski for a piano recital. They would use the funds to help pay their board and tuition.

The great pianist’s manager asked for a guarantee of $2,000. The guarantee was a lot of money in those days, but the boys agreed and proceeded to promote the concert. They worked hard, only to find that they had grossed only $1,600.

After the concert the two boys told the great artist the bad news. They gave him the entire $1,600, along with a promissory note for $400, explaining that they would earn the amount at the earliest possible moment and send the money to him. It looked like the end of their college careers.

“No, boys,” replied Padarewski, “that won’t do.” Then, tearing the note in two, he returned the money to them as well. “Now,” he told them, “take out of this $1,600 all of your expenses, and keep for each of you 10 percent of the balance for your work. Let me have the rest.”

The years rolled by—World War I came and went. Padarewski, now premier of Poland, was striving to feed thousands of starving people in his native land. There was only one man in the world who could help him, Herbert Hoover, who was in charge of the U.S. Food and Relief Bureau. Hoover responded and soon thousands of tons of food were sent to Poland.

After the starving people were fed, Padarewski journeyed to Paris to thank Hoover for the relief sent him.

“That’s all right, Mr. Padarewski,” was Hoover’s reply. “Besides, you don’t remember it, but you helped me once when I was a student at college, and I was in trouble.”

Bits & Pieces, August 22, 1991

III. Reward coming (Gal. 6:9)
A. And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. (Gal. 6:9) The word weary carries the idea of “fatigue and exhaustion”.
B. Christians may become discouraged with spiritual sowing because the harvest is often long in coming. In the face of this reality the apostle charged the Galatians not to become weary or give up because the harvest is sure. (Paul included himself as he no doubt contemplated his sometimes frustrating labors on behalf of the Galatian Christians.) The reaping will come at God’s proper time, which may be only in part in this life and in full in the life to come at the judgment seat of Christ.

Illustration 3: Life Once Spent Is Irrevocable
A life once spent is irrevocable. It will remain to be contemplated through eternity.…The same may be said of each day. When it is once past, it is gone forever. All the marks which we put upon it, it will exhibit forever.…Each day will not only be a witness of our conduct, but will affect our everlasting destiny.…How shall we then wish to see each day marked with usefulness…! It is too late to mend the days that are past. The future is in our power. Let us, then, each morning, resolve to send the day into eternity in such a garb as we shall wish it to wear forever. And at night let us reflect that one more day is irrevocably gone, indelibly marked.
Adoniram Judson, in E. Judson, The Life of Adoniram Judson (Anson, Randolph & Company, 1883), pp. 13-15

IV. Do good (Gal. 6:10)
A. As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith. (Galatians 6:10) The word therefore shows that Paul is continuing his discussion of the harvest. Because there is a harvest coming and because we will reap according to our sowing, we are to take every opportunity to do good. Doing good encompasses all that Paul has just taught including bearing one another’s burdens, sowing to the Spirit and staying by the stuff. If we will be faithful, the harvest will be fruitful.

V. Conclusion:
Truly, we reap what we sow. Whatever good things we have done, the Lord will reward us if not in this life, it will be in the afterlife. Christian don’t be discouraged, your labors will never be in vain. Continue sowing if it’s not appreciated or recognized. Your rewards is sure for Christ keeps His promises.