Hoekstra's Day by Day by Grace (February 29th)

More on the Crucial Choice: Flesh or Spirit

Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life. (Galatians 6:7-8)

One of the unchangeable aspects of life is that God offers only two choices for all the issues that we will encounter day by day; namely, "live according to the flesh" or "live according to the Spirit" (Romans 8:5). Also, the consequences accompanying these options are inevitable, because of the certainties of sowing and reaping. "Whatever a man sows, that he will also reap." When an apple seed is planted, an apple tree is the only possible plant that can result. Whatever category of seed is put into the ground, that is the only type of crop that can ever be reaped.

Our present passage reveals that these agricultural absolutes apply just as certainly to the planting of spiritual seeds in our lives. We only have two types of seeds to plant ("flesh" or "Spirit"), leading to only two types of harvest ("corruption" or "everlasting life").

The first set of seeds and harvest offers an ominous warning. "He who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption." The seeds in view here are words, deeds, and attitudes that would range from self-service to self-sufficiency. The harvest predicted from these carnal seeds is described as "corruption." This speaks of destruction and decay. For a person whose entire life is only characterized by sowing "to his flesh," this destruction would be eternal. This would depict one who never planted any seed of faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Such a one would die in sin and guilt, separated from God for eternity. For a born-again believer, who persistently or intermittently yields to carnal temptations, this would warn of subsequent loss of spiritual vitality and fruitfulness on earth now, plus loss of heavenly blessings later.

The second set of seeds and harvest extends an encouraging expectation. "But he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life." The seeds referred to here are words, deeds, and attitudes that result from humble dependence upon the Spirit of God to work in and through us. This brings an increasing spiritual crop described as "everlasting life." This would be similar to Jesus' statement: "I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly" (John 10:10). This promises fullness of life now, and great rewards in glory later.