Sowing and Reaping

Friday, June 21, 2024

Though many people never consider or discern the results of their actions, it’s a biblical law and truth that what one sows he will also reap. That law will not be denied, it’s God’s law and his Spirit spoke its truth. “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap” (Gal. 6:7). Immediately, then, the Spirit explained this saying, “For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life” (Gal. 6:8). This law applies not only to people, but also to nations.

It’s important to recognize that this law did not originate with the New Testament, but was active during the Old Testament as well, because it was first established there. This is true because God doesn’t change, Mal. 3:6 and Heb. 13:8. What was before will be again for “That which has been is what will be, that which is done is what will be done, and there is nothing new under the sun. Is there anything of which it may be said, ‘See, this is new’? It has already been in ancient times before us. There is no remembrance of former things, nor will there be any remembrance of things that are to come by those who will come after” (Eccl. 1:9–11). [My bold emphasis]

Consider that “There is no remembrance of former things”, and then think of the many in the Western evangelical church and how that most (and I mean most) have no idea or remembrance of those things God did in the Old Testament, and cannot discern that God’s law of sowing and reaping is yet active, but could be delayed because God “desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time” (1 Tim. 2:4–6). In this we see that God patiently waits before sending His judgments on unbelievers, and even disobedient people who claim faith in Jesus Christ. Today, under the New Testament the wrath of God is restrained by Christ, but the day is coming when all will again see the judgment wrath of God just as it once was revealed in the Old Testament. The problem today is that most pastors and Bible teachers have shirked their responsibility of instructing believers that God does not change, and that what He did before He will indeed do again and that God can’t be mocked.

Let’s consider a few examples from the Old Testament in light of the fact that God said “There is no remembrance of former things”. We see clearly what God thinks of rebellion against His word by His wrath upon 10 of the 12 men sent to spy out Canaan, their Land of Promise. Those 10 rebellious men led nearly the entire house of Israel to revolt against Moses and by extension, God. Therefore, “the men whom Moses sent to spy out the land, who returned and made all the congregation complain against him by bringing a bad report of the land, those very men who brought the evil report about the land, died by the plague before the LORD” (Num. 14:36–37). And lest you forget, these men who “died by the plague before the LORD” were part of Israel, equal to ministers and leaders of God’s church today! Today, we don’t see such judgment, for “The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9). Yet, today, in the organized evangelical church, there are numerous examples of overt rebellion against the “it is written” testimony of God which fulfills the prophetic promise that “nor will there be any remembrance of things that are to come by those who will come after”. That speaks to today’s church, for most of the church today does not remember the “former things” and God’s judgment brought upon His disobedient and rebellious people.

Consider from God’s Law the promised blessings and curses of Deut. 28. Many believers are quick to quote the blessings, but ignore the curses though both are still active. Why? Because they’ve been preached a convoluted view of the God who does not change. Discern the blessings for obedience, Deut. 28:1–14, and curses for disobedience, Deut. 28:15–68. The blessings are 14 verses in length, but the curses are 53 verses in length! So, why is it that many readily quote the blessings but ignore the curses? It’s because pastors and Bible teachers have softened the God of the Bible to create a narrative that fits people’s desires of the God they want. The same occurred in ancient Israel. In obedience, let’s allow God’s word to bear good fruit in our life that we might truly “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths. Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the LORD and depart from evil. It will be health to your flesh, and strength to your bones” (Prov. 3:5–8). It’s a very good thing to be in agreement with the “it is written” testimony of God in Christ, and a very bad thing to be in rebellion and unbelief of the same. Let’s be a true people of God who remember those “former things”, that God does not change and live accordingly.

As mentioned above, the law of sowing and reaping applies equally to nations of the world. Specifically, the nation of Israel, the Land of Israel, is clearly in focus when considering the judgments or blessings of God upon other nations as related to their conduct toward Israel. Before the twelve patriarchs of Israel were even born God said to Abraham, the father of our faith, “Get out of your country, from your family and from your father’s house, to a land that I will show you. I will make you a great nation; I will bless you and make your name great; and you shall be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and I will curse him who curses you; and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed” (Gen. 12:1–3). All families of the earth are blessed because salvation faith in Christ has been made available to them all, Gal. 3:29.

Islamic nations curse Israel. In this they reap what they sow; they literally produce the most horrible human rights abuses against even their own people living under the curse of Islam. In the 20th Century wars, Israel, being outnumbered in manpower and equipment of war soundly defeated Islamists who came against her. And so it will be until the end of this age. Be warned that the Obama/Biden regimes have turned against Israel. Antisemitism is given promotion to foment rage, violence and destruction. God will severely punish every nation that harms Israel.

God said, “Behold, I will make Jerusalem a cup of drunkenness to all the surrounding peoples, when they lay siege against Judah and Jerusalem. And it shall happen in that day that I will make Jerusalem a very heavy stone for all peoples; all who would heave it away will surely be cut in pieces, though all nations of the earth are gathered against it” (Zech. 12:2–3). God’s judgment of any nation, America included, that harms Israel is not sleeping. But will it be by nuclear war? If so, know that our God knows how to shelter and deliver His elect saints through His judgments.

My new book “ON EAGLES’ WINGS” with the subtitle “God’s Call, Your Response, Your Life Journey, Through The Tribulation, Until The Rapture” reveals many spiritual and end-time truths every Christian needs to be prepared, to not only face but endure this cruel unbelieving world till the end as Jesus contextually taught at Matt. 24:13. My new book will equip you in vital truths.

Marlin J. Yoder