“Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for
whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his
flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall
of the Spirit reap life everlasting. And let us not be weary in well doing: for
in due season we shall reap, if we faint not” (Galatians
6:7-9).
Introduction
Many soothsayers will be forecasting the events of 2010. Some will
predict an increase in global warming, a downturn in economics, or the spectre
of war. Others might suggest that life will get better and that there is a
brighter future for us all. We do not need prognosticators to tell us what is
going to happen within the next twelve months, for Scripture makes it very clear
what we can expect. If man sows wickedness and ungodliness then he will reap
disaster.
Sowing and reaping
Whatever a person does, either good or bad, has its consequences. A
Christian who lives according to God’s word will reap the rewards of
godliness, but a nation that rejects God and His word is destined to suffer the
corresponding judgement. “The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all
the nations that forget God” (Psalm 9:17). We
live in an age of self-indulgence. Few people today take any thought about their
eternal souls, but instead plunge themselves into every form of sin possible.
They try to forget the fact that they will die and stand before their Creator. “Now
the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication,
uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations,
wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings,
and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time
past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God” (Galatians
5:19-21). The harvest of wickedness cannot be escaped.
Nevertheless, God
has His people that have determined to follow after righteousness. “But
the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness,
goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. And they
that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. If we
live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit” (Galatians 5:22-23). If we sow to the Spirit, we will have peace in the
midst of any storm and enjoy the eternal rewards.
The
whirlwind
“For they have sown the wind, and they shall
reap the whirlwind” (Hosea 8:7).
There was a day
when Great Britain was used mightily by God. Our nation spread the Good News
throughout the world. Our missionaries travelled to the ends of the earth to
save souls. Our Bible societies printed Bible in all known tongues. Our country
was built upon the righteous laws of God and we reaped the blessings. But look
how far we have fallen from grace!
Today it is
almost a crime to speak the name of Christ. The Bible, the Cross and Christian
festivals have become an offence, but the names of false gods are elevated and
honoured. Thousands of our citizens are murdered in the womb. Homosexuals and
Lesbians vaunt their ungodliness on our streets. Marriage between a man and
woman has become an archaic institution, but same-sex is celebrated as something
marvellous. Our people have no knowledge of God and do what is right in their
own eyes (Hosea 4:1 and Judges 17:6). They are guilty of undermining all that
is holy and moral. “Woe unto them that call evil good, and good
evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for
sweet, and sweet for bitter! Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes, and
prudent in their own sight! Woe unto them that are mighty to drink wine, and men
of strength to mingle strong drink: Which justify the wicked for reward, and
take away the righteousness of the righteous from him! Therefore as the fire
devoureth the stubble, and the flame consumeth the chaff, so their root shall be
as rottenness, and their blossom shall go up as dust: because they have cast
away the law of the LORD of hosts, and despised the word of the Holy One of
Israel” (Isaiah 5:20-24), We have become
worse than Sodom and Gomorrah, and are heading towards the same fate, that is,
the wrath of God.
What
can we do?
We need to take
courage to speak up for the Lord. We need to live the life we profess to be
right. Like the apostle Paul we must be bold in faith despite the circumstances
we find ourselves in. “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ:
for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth” (Romans
1:16) … “For the which cause I also suffer these things:
nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded
that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day”
(2 Timothy 1:12). It is our duty to pray for
our nation. “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble
themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then
will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land”
(2 Chronicles 7:14) … “I exhort
therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving
of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority;
that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty” (1
Timothy 2:1-2).
Conclusion
© 1/1/2010