Galatians 6:7-9; Luke 6:35-38

Galatians 6:7-9; Luke 6:35-38

Whatever a man sows he will also reap. This is a law in the natural as well as in the spiritual realm. It cannot be changed, which is a great comfort for the upright. If this law did not exist, then life would be a game of chance without a fixed point. What should the farmer go by if he did not know what to expect to reap, when he sows? His comfort is that he will reap what he has sown. Everyone understands this when it concerns the natural, but is not aware of it when it concerns the spiritual! They are not so careful concerning the things they sow, even though everyone hopes for a good harvest. However, striving for a good harvest when you have sown bad seed is like kicking against the pricks. Many a sigh and question are answered by this: What you sow, you will also reap! This is an infallible guideline for our life. Who will then complain over his fate? It is those who have sown in the flesh. Jude 16.

“Give, and it shall be given to you.” In the spring the farmer has to give; he sows. If he sows sparingly, he will also reap sparingly. However, he does not reap as soon as he has sown. He has to wait patiently. The easiest thing is to sow to the flesh. Consequently, there are many proud people who sow to the flesh, and yet it seems that fortune is smiling on them. However, the time of reaping has not yet come. Those who bore home their sheaves with rejoicing had sown in tears. Ps. 126:5-6. You have to deny yourself to sow to the Spirit. You have to suffer death according to the flesh. When it is sowing time, it can appear that those who sow to the Spirit are having a very difficult time. One could wonder what would be the best thing to do, but when autumn—harvest time—comes, the results will be there for everyone to see. Blessed is the one who can sing songs of joy in the autumn.

“And with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.” Who can then complain about the measure that is measured out to him? Everything goes according to laws. Therefore we do not walk with uncertainty or beat the air. Blessed is he who walks in the laws of the Lord. He has a good hope and a blessed comfort in all his works. Ps. 1:2-3.

“Therefore be merciful just as your Father also is merciful. Judge not, and you shall not be judged.”

Mercilessness causes a person’s heart to become cold and closed. It blinds him to the point that he judges the innocent. Jesus says, “But if you had known what this means, ‘I desire mercy and not sacrifice,’ you would not have condemned the guiltless.” Matt. 12:7. One goes without hope, thinking that God has closed all the doors. If you only knew what this means, “I desire mercy,” life would take on a totally different perspective for you, for with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you. Yes, may God grant us understanding of the importance of “mercy” for ourselves and our surroundings. Mercilessness destroys our life, but mercy leads us to those in need. It teaches us to help people. The Pharisees did not understand this. They found fault with Jesus because He ate with tax collectors and sinners. Jesus answered them, “But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy and not sacrifice.’” Matt. 9:10-13.

God is great. He is merciful to each and everyone, which is why we are all alive. Oh, how poor and wretched is the person is who is merciless and prone to judge!

God desires mercy. As we learn this, rivers of living water will also flow from our lives.