“DO NOT BE DECEIVED: GOD CANNOT BE MOCKED. A MAN REAPS WHAT HE SOWS.” —GALATIANS 6:7, NIV
There are consequences to our actions. Sin and unhealthy behavior leave their marks. There are laws of nature that our Creator set into motion.
Thank God for His grace!
One minute, Paul the apostle was a hero; the next, he was hated and persecuted. He and Barnabas had been preaching about Jesus, upsetting the Jews who did not believe. Finally, “some Jews came from Antioch and Iconium and won the crowd over. They stoned Paul and dragged him outside the city, thinking he was dead” (Acts 14:19, NIV).
Picture this frenzied crowd, hurling stone after stone at Paul until they dragged his limp and bleeding body outside the gates, leaving him for dead.
The irony is that Paul taught them to do this. Just a short time ago, he had ordered the stoning of Stephen, the first martyr of the Church. Later, he wrote to the Galatians, “A man reaps what he sows.” He was speaking from personal experience.
That’s harsh, you might say. After all, now he was a believer preaching the Gospel. But actions have consequences, no matter who we are.
All would be lost without grace, especially for those of us who blunder deliberately or ignorantly into rebellion and sin.
God promises us in Romans 8:28 “that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.”
He works in our lives even through the circumstances we have sown.
Poor Paul. He took some hits. But he also survived his pride and arrogance, and continued steadfastly to serve his Lord, growing in humility, service, and love. He may have reaped trouble from the trouble he sowed, but he also reaped the blessings of a life surrendered to his Lord. There is hope for us all!
