There are many verses that teach us that we will reap what
we sow. For example:
·
Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for
whatever one sows, that will he also reap. (Galatians 6:7)
·
Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you.
(James 4:8)
·
Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for
reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may
obtain a blessing. (1 Peter 3:9)
The Bible is packed with the assurances that we will be
blessed as we bless. Therefore, this formula emerges:
Sow —> Reap
Therefore, doesn’t our obedience to the Lord entitle us to
His blessings? Certainly not! This belief would produce pride and arrogance.
Instead, our Lord humbles us in order to exalt us:
·
“Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and
whoever humbles himself will be exalted.” (Matthew 23:12)
How then do we humble ourselves? For one thing, we thank God
for even our good deeds—our sowing:
·
But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his
grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of
them, though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me. (1 Corinthians
15:10)
Paul understood that even our labors are part of God’s gift
to us. How?
·
for it is God who works in you, both to will and
to work for his good pleasure. (Philippians 2:13)
Consequently, God even should get the credit for any good
coming out of our lives (James 1:17):
·
For we are his workmanship, created in Christ
Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in
them. (Ephesians 2:10)
Nevertheless, we too must assume our responsibility in this
mysterious process. Are we entitled to God’s blessings? No! We are only
entitled to one thing—damnation (Roman 6:23). Therefore, a more complete
understanding should look like this:
Grace —> Sow
—> Reap
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