“Be not deceived, God is not mocked, for whatever a man soweth that shall he also reap.”
Galatians 6:7
PEACE
In these last days there is a common notion that when Jesus Christ returns, that He will set foot on earth, and He will reign supreme on planet earth. At that time the nations and man will be bound into a federation of religions and nations in which there will be no more distinctions, and that there will be a grand and universal brotherhood of perfect peace for 1000 years.
Yet, the Apostle Peter is saying, “God is longsuffering towards us.” (2 Peter 3:9). God is now giving every opportunity for man and the nations to reform and for man to realize that his plans and efforts are all in vain – trying all human values, goals and endeavours to express his own will and views of the future as one of prosperity, peace, and safety.
But, God is blatantly allowing us to prove that it cannot be done any other way than what Jesus said; that is, by a personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ who is God and Man. Here is our “peace,” our “seedness.” (see 1 Thessalonians 4:13-17; 5:1-6; Matthew 28:19)
POOR IN SPIRIT
We are coming to the end of the journey. Jesus Christ said: “Blessed are the poor in spirit.” Matthew 5:3. This seems like a strange blessing – like the many others – a paradox! But, Christ puts this first among the graces and is the most comprehensive of all the beatitudes; here holiness and happiness are fully described. Why? And what’s the relation to our “seedness” time?
Well, self-denial is the first lesson to learn in His school! The poor in spirit are happy! What’s the most comprehensive character of the blessed? They are pure in heart! Uh-oh? Yes! But first, there is a secular, or layman poor-spiritedness, that is so far from making men blessed that it is a sin and a snare – cowardice and base fear, and a willing subjection to the lusts of men, the scourge of sinful speech, a portrait of the godless.
Yet, “the Lord looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, and seek God.” Psalm 14:2. This poverty of spirit (Matthew 5:3) is a gracious disposition of soul, by which we are emptied of self (a vacuum), in order for us to be filled with Jesus Christ.
To be poor in spirit is to be contentedly poor, willing to be emptied of worldly wealth (to sit loose to all worldly wealth, and not set our hearts upon it), if God orders that to be our lot; to bring our mind to our condition, when it is a low condition. In fact, members of Christ’s church are called the “congregation of the poor.” (Psalm 74:19). But, “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together.” Hebrews 10:25
Simply, “poor in spirit” is to be humble and lowly in our own eyes – or as little children in our opinion of ourselves, weak or insignificant. (Matthew 18:4; 19:14).You see, we are His little ones.
BEGIN LOW!
Ah! But many are poor in the world, but high in spirit, poor and proud, murmuring and complaining, and blaming their lot. But we must accommodate ourselves to our poverty, and must know how to be abased. “I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.” Philippians. 4:12. Here is the believer’s sufficiency through Christ!
If we be rich in the world, however, we must condescend to the poor and sympathize with them, as being touched with the feeling of their infirmities; we must expect and prepare for poverty, must not inordinately fear or shun it, but must bid it welcome, especially when it comes upon us for keeping a good conscience.
Look, moreover, with a holy contempt upon ourselves, to value others and undervalue ourselves in comparison. It is to acknowledge that God is great, and we are lowly; that He is holy and we are sinful; that He is all and we are nothing, less than nothing, worse than nothing – nothingness, and to humble ourselves before Him, and under His mighty hand.
It is, furthermore, to remove all confidence in our own righteousness and strength, so that we may depend upon the merit of Christ for our justification and His spirit and grace for our sanctification.
Those who would build high must begin low; and it is an excellent preparation for the entrance of gospel-grace into the soul. It prepares THE SOIL TO RECEIVE THE SEED!
WAR!!
Yet, the outworking of the new life in Christ Jesus is masked and impeded by the insanity of warring nations, full of ruinous mistakes of a blind and carnal world – revolting in a disdainful, dispassionate manner, unheralded as never before in the dark history of mankind. The earth is shaking and rocking on its pivotal axis, both literally and figuratively!
It is as a runaway freight train without an engineer, careening on the purgatorial rails to imminent destruction. The wild, restless, calloused nations are ceaselessly warring in fickle manners, enslaving their subjects in barbarous enclaves, deluding one another in their shallow quests for power.
In spite of this, the Apostle Paul says, “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” Ephesians 6: 12. It is this wrestling against spiritual wickedness in high places which prevent us from seeing God.
Paul tells us to “take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.” Ephesians 6:13. Ah! But having put on the armor, then stand (hold the position – manifesting the full power of God). “The nature of God is the armour!” The naïve world does not see this! Remember, the enemy is unseen and supernatural! (see Daniel 10, 12)
NEW LIFE
Meanwhile, while the hollow-hearted world is racing on its path of destruction, Daniel 11 and 12 are being fulfilled! What, therefore, or how is the outworking of the new life in Christ Jesus to be manifested and realized in our lives?
When you see terrible men committing terrible, heinous acts, remember, it is not just them alone; they are marionettes in the hands of the evil one. Concentrate on the more difficult wrestling feints of the spiritual hosts of wickedness. (see Ephesians 1:3; 2:6; 3:10)
As the Christian’s life in the Spirit is unified in purpose and direction in contrast with the life in the flesh, with its inner conflicts and frustrations, what then, in view of the above, is excusing ourselves from doing our present duty – the present truth and scope of our quest to seek the rewards of His promise? We opened with the verse from Galatians 6:7, with a caution to take heed not to mock God, or by deceiving ourselves by imagining that He can be imposed upon by mere pretensions or profession.
But, our new life, can be changed, enhanced, embedded in the truth, henceforth, and can continue in force and outworking as a stewardship! It is a new direction – a key! That’s it! It is needed to help advance God’s cause in new fields; we are entrusted with the care of God’s household (sheep), and interests; and of God’s truth.”(Testimonies for the Church, vol. 1, pp. 147, 148; Testimonies for the Church, vol. 8, p. 24, 37). Furthermore, God will give greater trusts to the faithful. (Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 529) (see Luke 16:1-13)
Christians need to be reminded, however, that all Christians who hold responsibility over others, that the persons under them belong, first of all, to Christ! Pastors, ministers, elders, workers, missionaries, teachers, and parents are but “undershepherds” to whose care Christ’s sheep are committed. (Hebrews 13:20; 1 Peter 5:3). Our duty to Christ should depend, not upon the strength of our subjective feelings, but upon our realization of what He has done for us. To Peter, “Jesus saith unto him, Feed My sheep” John 21:17
SEEDNESS
But, it is no time to be idle, for we are the stewards of truth, and must co-operate in advancing God’s Kingdom. (Sons and Daughters of God, p. 269; Testimonies for the Church, vol. 6, p. 448). Furthermore, we shall be called upon to give account of our stewardship and the believer’s duty regarding stewardship and the means entrusted to them; we are placed under obligation both to God and man. (Testimonies for the Church, vol. 5, p. 155; Education, p. 139)
Returning again to our opening message, for emphasis and clarification, that “whatsooever a man soweth that shall he also reap” (Galatians 6:7), or that according as we behave ourselves now, so will our account be in the great day. Therefore, our present time is seedtime. In the other world there will be a great harvest; and, as the Husbandman reaps in the harvest according as He sows in the “seedness,” so we shall reap then as we sow now.
Ah! And he further informs us (v-8), that, as there are two sorts of “seedness”, sowing to the flesh and sowing to the spirit, so accordingly will the reckoning be hereafter. If we sow to the flesh, we “shall of the flesh reap corruption.” Galatians 6:8. If we sow the wind, we shall reap the whirlwind. (Hosea 8:7). Those who live a carnal, sensual life, who, instead of employing themselves to the honour of God and the good of others, spend all their thoughts, and care, and time about the flesh, must expect no other fruit of such a course than corruption – a mean and short-lived satisfaction at present, and ruin and misery at the end.
Our Christian conduct, therefore, in the light of the times in which we live is to be exemplary. “As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.” 1 Peter 4:10
DECEPTION
But, on the other hand, those who sow to the Spirit, who, under the guidance and influence of the Spirit do live a holy and spiritual life, a life of devotedness to God and of usefulness and service to others, may believe that they shall reap life everlasting – they shall have the truest comfort in their present course, and eternal life and happiness at the end of it. But, those who go about mocking God do but deceive themselves.
Hypocrisy in religion is the greatest folly as well as wickedness. The God we have to answer to can easily see through all our disguises, and will certainly deal with us hereafter, not according to our profession but our practices. Woe unto us! A life of deception is fatal. (Testimonies for the Church, vol. 4, p. 336). It will be one of Satan’s greatest weapons in the end. Ministers must guard the flock against deception. (Selected Messages, vol. 2, p. 16)
EXCUSES!
Another caution to take heed of, in mocking God, or in reality – deceiving ourselves, is by imagining that He can be imposed upon by mere pretensions or professions. “Be not deceived, God is not mocked.” Galatians 6:7. In reality, the design of this exhortation is to warn, or convince, those wary ones of their sin and folly; those who endeavored by any plausible pretences to excuse themselves from doing their duty in supporting their ministers. Or it may be taken in a more general view, as respecting the whole business of religion, and so designed to dissuade men from entertaining any vain hopes of enjoying its rewards while they live in the neglect of its duties. (see Exodus 20) (Ecclesiastes 12:13)
The Apostle Paul has supposed often that many are apt to excuse themselves from the work of religion, and especially, the more self-denying parts of it, though at the same time they may make a show and profession of it. But he assures them that this, their way, is their folly, for though, hereby, they may possibly impose upon others, yet they do but deceive themselves if they think to impose upon God Himself, who is perfectly acquainted with their hearts. (see the parable of the wedding feast – Luke 22)
WEARINESS
There is another caution we are to soberly take heed of. That is, not to be weary in well doing.” (Galatians 6:9). As we should never excuse ourselves from any part of our duty, so neither should we grow weary in it. We are all prone to this; we are very apt to tire in duty, yes to fall off from it, particularly that part of it which should be a special regard for us all – that of doing good to others! This, therefore, we are to carefully watch and guard against. There is a very good reason for this, “for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not” (Galatians 6:9), where He assures us that there is a recompense of reward in reserve for all who sincerely employ themselves in well doing. In other words, this reward will certainly be bestowed on us in the proper season – if not in this world, yet undoubtedly in the next, an ardent hope!
Ah! But, then that is on the supposition that we faint not in the way of our duty. If we grow weary, however, we shall not only miss out of this reward but lose the comfort and advantage of what we have already done. But, if we hold on and hold out in well-doing, though our reward may be delayed, yet it will surely come, and will be so great as to make us an abundant recompense for all our pains, efforts, and constancy. Perseverance in well-doing is our wisdom and sincere interest as well as our duty for these times, for only those who do this is the reward promised. (Revelation 14:12)
A further exhortation to all faithful Christians is to do good, to be generous in their “seeding” places, which states, “As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all [men], especially unto them who are of the household of faith.” Galatians 6:10. The latter group is especially the obligation of the children of God. If one neglects to care for his own (believers are the family of God), he is worse than an unbeliever. (1 Timothy 5:8)
Ah! It is not enough that we be good to others if we would approve ourselves to be Christians in deed. The duty here, you see, and recommended to us is the same that is spoken of in the foregoing passages and verses; we are exhorted to sincerity and perseverance in doing it – good to others!
So Here We Are Directed Both As To The Objects And Rules Of It: (Doing Good – Sincerity And Perseverance)
RULE 1
1.) The objects of this duty are more generally to all men. We are not to confine our charity and beneficence within too narrow bounds as the Jews and judaizing Christians were apt to do, but should be ready to extend it to all who partake of the same common nature with us, as far as we are capable and they stand in need of us.
2.) But, yet, in the exercise of it, we are to have a special regard to the household of faith, or to those who profess
the same common faith, and are members of the same body of Christ with us, though others are not excluded.
3.) The charity of Christians should be extensive – generous charity; but, remember, God does good to all, but in a special manner He is good to His own servants, and we must, in doing good, be followers of God as dear children.
RULE 2
- The rule which we are to observe to doing good to others is also, “as we have opportunity,” which implies that
we should be sure to do it when we have opportunity, or while our life lasts, which is the only season wherein we are capable of doing good to others. If, therefore, we would behave ourselves aright in this matter we must not, as too many do, neglect it in our life-time, and defer it until we come to die, under a pretence of doing something of this nature then; for we cannot be sure that we shall then have an opportunity for it.
So, we have no grounds to expect that what we do will be so acceptable to God, much less that we can atone for our past neglects if we leave something behind us for the good of others at a time when we can no longer keep it or use it ourselves. But nevertheless, we should take care to do good in our life-time, to make this the business of our lives!
- That we be ready to improve every opportunity for it: we should not content ourselves in having done good
already, but whenever fresh occasions offer themselves, as far as our capacity reaches we should be ready to embrace them too. For we are directed to, “Give a portion to seven, and also to eight; for thou knowest not what evil shall be upon the earth.” Ecclesiastes 11:2. As God has made it our duty to do good to others, so He takes care in His providence to furnish us with opportunities for it.
Remember, too: The poor we have always with us. (Matthew 26:11). Whenever God gives us an opportunity to be useful to others, He expects we should improve it, according to our capacity, ability, and spiritual state.
Finally, we have need of godly wisdom and discretion to direct us in the exercise of our charity, or beneficence, in our seedness journey. None who stand in need of us are to be wholly overlooked; for “SEEDTIME” is upon us!
“To God only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ forever.” Romans 16:27
A hearty Amen!
John Theodorou
U.S.A.