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"A man is as good as his word; as good as his word is he. If man is as good as his word, he's good enough for me. A solemn promise he's bound to keep; or else he never could fall asleep. He'll keep his promise as best he knows; and what he sows, so shall he reap." - Sound Track, movie "Comanche"

Whoever wrote these words had at least a passing acquaintance with the Bible (Galatians 6:7). In this we should rejoice, whoever it was. As was said of one of Russia's leaders under communism years ago when he did something which seemed out of character and rather benevolent, "let us rejoice that he has some truth...!

However, there exists oday a belief, sometimes somewhat subconsciously perhaps, that this is not true. Verbal and even mental assent may exist, but somehow it just does not play out in practice. Of course, this is "human nature", and the way of all flesh. At least many are living as though it is not believed. Indeed, some are living this out "like there is no tomorrow"! As the result of this subconscious condition, some may not see those tomorrows - and this is sad indeed!

But what about Christians - do we REALLY believe that WE reap what we sow - every day, every moment? Is there a "law of consequences" that God has appointed for His children, right now? Or is this one that has supposedly been "done away"? Are WE "as good as our word"? And if we are not, is there a harvest to reap? In reality, that is always a true statement - we ARE as good as our word, and ONLY as good as our word...

Some seem to have accomplished the dubious transformation of turning grace into license. This is often exercised under the umbrella of freedom. One of the church fathers of old said "love God, and do what you please". This may be true, if properly understood. A few critical details are often left out; such as, we love God BY pleasing Him. As a chapter in God's word explains (2 Peter 1), there is a growth process into pleasing God. If we are not engaged in this process, we are not pleasing God, and until we are perfect we are not to do as we please (Hosea 10:12). Sometimes we as God's children tend to forget what God really wants, and how He works in our lives. Some feel that once we repent, receive forgiveness, receive the Holy Spirit, become church members, get active in "service" or ministry, then we can coast - that cause and effect is inoperative, and are now unnecessary. Or, perhaps we feel now that reaping is not necessary because we trust. Actually, we can now trust Him in ALL that is "unnecessary"...(Galatians 6:7-8).

So many of us have experienced - and ARE experiencing - the consequences and results of our past (Hosea 8:7). This comes in almost limitless forms; physical, emotional, generational, even spiritual. Although we ARE forgiven (Romans 8:1), and the quilt is canceled forever, the natural residue God often leaves for us to suffer. God said He would do this long ago - and this promise has not been rescinded by the new covenant under grace (Deuteronomy 5:9-10). As seemingly almost unbearable sometimes, actually this is a tremendous blessing. In this condition, God transmits to us the comfort and strength of Jesus - His consolations (2 Corinthians 1:3-7). He extends more grace! He is drawing us closer to Him. Unless this is done, we feel more comfortable with the world than with Jesus. How many of us would be comfortable if Jesus were LITERALLY with us today?

HE IS...but are we comfortable - perhaps TOO comfortable - even to presuming upon him?...(John him?...(John 14:16-18; Matthew 4:5-7)).

Sometimes He uses the discomfort of reaping what has been sown to show us our unrightous attitudes, and to magnify His holiness. If we will meditate on this, it can change our lives - IF - if we know who He is - who HE REALLY IS! About twenty years ago, I had a very dear brother in Christ with whom I had many heart to heart discussions. I cannot forget on one occasion he confessed that there was one real fear he had. He stated that he was VERY afraid of the judgment - the judgment when all of us must stand before Jesus, and GIVE AN ACCOUNTING of our lives, even for every "idle word" (Matthew 12:36-37; 2 Corinthians 5:10)). So was I. And so I am. But this is a "fear" more like awe - of standing in the presence of absolute perfection, love and holiness - not for punishment (1 John 4:17-18), or condemnation or of not being accepted. We will be comfortable with Him in His presence, even more than we are with Him in our presence - we are ACCEPTED "in the Beloved"! His righteousness is being imputed to us every moment of all our lives. It will finally be IMPARTED to us in fullness forever...

Much of the reaping we experience - such as programmed fears, doubts, worries, anxieties, are the RESULT of conditioning in this world's beliefs, philosophies and attitudes - and physically, even to the gene pool we have all inherited! (Numbers 14:18). Some have reaped much suffering for so, so long! Others, seemingly, reap much less. We always reap what WE sow, unless God in His mercy deems otherwise. How often today do we hear and see portrayed the false principle that we "do not deserve" this or that...or, that we do "deserve" something else. God forbid that we should receive WHAT WE DESERVE! We all have sown the whirlwind and we all would reap the fruit of it except for Jesus Christ - He "reaped" what we SOWED to the ultimate. That is the most important harvest we will not have to reap...

Until that glorious day when Jesus returns, bringing the Kingdom of God, when all wrongs will be righted, all accounts balanced, and the knowledge of God fills the earth and all hearts are made right, we must trust Him as we reap. Much of our reaping is automatic, and He allows it for our good and to His glory. The troubles of sowing and reaping trouble us all - but God is ALWAYS with us, and He will provide daily our need abundantly as we face ghosts of the past or the surprises of the present (Lamentations 3:15-24)...

During all these times when God allows us to reap what either we, or someone else has sown into the fields of our lives, He is also balancing our lives with another kind of sowing from which we shall also reap (Psalm 26:5-6)! During these times in our lives in this world, if we truly know Jesus Christ, and we are allowing Him to live in us, He is sowing seeds of a harvest so wondrous we will hardly believe it. We will continually reap one harvest after another, each one exceeding the last (Amos 9:13-15). Each and every day we have opportunities to sow seeds of love and compassion and warning in word and deed. We share with Jesus in plowing and planting - and we will also share in a harvest beyond our wildest dreams. Some of the "seed" will not ultimately bear fruit in this harvest, but many, many will (Matthew 13:3-9;18-30).

The world keeps on turning. It keeps on sowing. It continues to reap. And so it will - until harvest time arrives, and IT WILL ARRIVE! Though it may seem to tarry, signs of our times are everywhere (Revelation 14:14-20). Until the time when God's harvest is fulfilled, we are also His "harvesters". Look up and around and everywhere - the fields are already "white with harvest" (John 4:35-38)!. If it was so when Jesus spoke these words - how much more so now! Allow Him to use your sowing and reaping to grow you to be look just like Him (Psalm 119:67-72). Then let Him sow His Word in your heart. Then take the seeds from your heart and sow in the hearts of others - "heart to heart". Your life, whatever it seems to be now, will bear fruit for you and others that will never perish...(John 9:4).

We all sow - we all reap. We must not only be "as good as our word". We must be as good as we WERE MEANT TO BE. Standing before Jesus, we will still reap - we will reap forever what He has sown in us...

"Those who sow in tears shall reap in joy. He who continually goes forth weeping, bearing seed for sowing, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him". - Psalm 126:5-6

"Inspiration For You" from Randy Mitchell

Keep Your Dreams to Yourself