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In Galatians 6:7 we find another “red flag” of warning: “Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.” This is a statement of inexorable law that applies with equal force in both physical and spiritual matters. God set it in motion at the Creation (Gen. 1:11–12, 21, 24–25). A man will be sorely disappointed if he thinks he can raise a corn crop by sowing sunflower seed or produce beef cattle by pairing rabbits. In the context, Paul applies the principle to spiritual matters (v. 8). What may we learn from this warning?
- This principle is one about which men are easily deceived. Thus the warning, “Be not deceived.” Few men dispute the physical application of the principle. The grave danger lies in deception about sowing and reaping in spiritual affairs.
- God cannot be mocked. This means that men will ultimately be forced to submit to His will. This means that although men may appear to prevail against God, they can neither overthrow this law nor any of His other laws. In reality, men do not break any of God’s laws. When they violate His laws they actually break themselves on His law, which is not lessened in force or application at all. The only way to deal with God so as to please Him is to live in submission to His law. Any other approach to life is “living against the grain” (Acts 26:14).
- We cannot be carnal, fleshly, and materialistic and hope to escape the necessary consequences of such life-emphasis. Such a life brings moral corruption and sometimes physical destruction here and eternal separation from God later on (cf. 1 Cor. 6:9–11). Many have become convinced that they can actually have what Balaam desired—to live in rebellion to God, but “die the death of the righteous” (Num. 23:10). It cannot be done. If one dies in sin he cannot go to Heaven (John 8:21). Regardless of how badly one wants it otherwise, one cannot die as a “sheep,” having lived as a “goat.”
- Though men almost universally live by this principle in physical applications, multitudes foolishly deny its application in spiritual/religious matters. Just as the Book of Mormon does not produce Baptists, so Baptist doctrine does not produce Christians. Yet many sincerely hold that they can believe and obey false doctrine and still be accepted by the Lord as if they believed and obeyed His Truth. To thus believe is an attempt to mock God, because He has stated that this is not possible. It is only when we continue in the Word of Christ that we are genuine disciples; only the Truth (not error) makes us free (John 8:31–32). We will be eternally lost if we do not obey the Gospel (2 The. 1:8–9). God’s children remain in fellowship with Him only as they “walk in the light” (1 John 1:7). One does not trust what God has said if he thinks error is just as good as the Truth and that God will not really call men to account for what they believe and practice.
[Note: I wrote this article for and it was published in The Lighthouse, weekly bulletin of Northpoint Church of Christ, Denton, TX, June 21, 2009, of which I was editor.]
Attribution: From thescripturecache.com; Dub McClish, owner and administrator.
