When Your Way Isn't Working - a Study of GalatiansНамуна

Understanding the relationship between sowing and reaping is a good lesson for all of us.

Farmers know: What we plant is what we’ll harvest. If we don’t plant, we won’t harvest. If we plant incorrectly, the harvest won’t be fruitful. Even if we plant correctly, but perhaps God doesn’t bring the necessary elements to harvest, we may not see the growth immediately or on our timeline. But we can trust God will still make seeds grow—some way, somehow.

Paul concludes Galatians with a reminder that what we sow (plant) is what we’ll reap (harvest).

Sow prayers? Reap God’s responses and answers.

Sow mercy and goodness? Reap God’s mercy and goodness.

Sow kindness and friendship? Reap kindness and friendship.

Sow generosity? Reap generosity, purpose, and resources.

Then in 6:9, Paul says, "So let's not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don't give up."

God is not a vending machine. There are no guarantees that we will reap in the ways we anticipate in this lifetime, although we often do. Even if not, there’s a life beyond our time on earth where we will receive a reward or experience the harvest in eternity with Christ.

Whatever the result, the motivation to sow must ultimately be for Jesus: to spread his message and to reach people far from God. That’s what Paul worked tirelessly for. That’s why he defended the Gospel with such urgency. He was going to defend and protect the seeds of truth received from the risen Christ himself with everything he had. Why? So that, at the right time, the harvest would be plentiful.

Today, 2,000 years later, we can thank God for Paul's commitment to speaking the truth. Now, we are reaping what Paul sowed so long ago.

Conclusion:

Over the last eight weeks, we've journeyed through Galatians. We hope you've learned something new, grown in your faith, and enjoyed finding a rhythm as you spent time with Jesus.

Maybe you're feeling the nudge to put your faith in Jesus.
Begin by praying the prayer below:

Dear Jesus,

You’ve given me everything. I don’t want anything other than you. I want to follow your way and your way alone. Thank you for dying on the cross for my sins so that you could accomplish what I could not—payment for my sins. Thank you for the gift of faith and the ability to have a relationship with God. I put my full trust and faith in you. Amen.

If you prayed that prayer today, way to go! We'd love to help you get started in your walk with Christ.
Let us know, here!