Devotions this week based on the Message: “BELIEVE: Week 27: KINDNESS”
(NOTE: This sermon series and devotional series is based on a book by Randy Frazee entitled, “BELIEVE.”
You may choose to download or purchase the book as a supplement to your worship and devotional emails.)
Galatians 6:7 Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. 8 The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. 9 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. 10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.
I’m way behind on planting a garden this year. In Texas, if you are on top of your crops, you can plant in early spring and in late summer and get two harvests. But if you don’t plant anything, there will be nothing to reap. (Ironically some seeds from last year’s dried up plants have germinated and I have carrots, beans, and cantaloupe growing without my help!)
“A man reaps what he sows.” It would be foolish to expect green beans to come from cucumber seeds. If one plants cucumbers, you will reap cucumbers. If you plant beans, you will reap beans. It would also be foolish to tell another gardener that you planted carrots in their garden as they asked you to do only to find out a few weeks later bean plants were coming up. What comes out of the soil will give evidence of what was planted in the soil.
So the Lord says, “The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction.” So if I plant “sin seeds” I can expect to reap “sin fruit.” I can’t expect to plant “sin seeds” and reap eternal life. Eternal life does not come from the sinful nature – destruction does.
Unfortunately, “sin seeds” are really abundant and really easy to plant…and grow pretty easily too. Our sinful nature loves to be pleased with selfishness, things I want, and everyone else serving me. It doesn’t like to think of others, be kind, or give generously (and many other things!).
So the consequence of “sin seeds” is a harvest of destruction.
We don’t want that…so what is the alternative?
Plant “Spirit seeds.” “The one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.” What pleases the Spirit? It’s really all the seeds we have been talking about…seeds of love, joy, peace, patience, etc. The Spirit of God loves to work in us and lead us to plant seeds that produce the fruits of the Spirit. It is rewarding when we are able with the Spirit’s help to please the Spirit. The result? “from the Spirit will reap eternal life.” Now that’s the crop I desire!
But it’s hard.
We are constantly fighting against the weeds of sin seeds that crop up, grow up and are hard to uproot. The battle is constant and the struggle is real.
But the harvest is worth it…so don’t give up. Don’t weary in doing good, doing the things that please the Spirit of God. God sees them as fruits of faith and will recognize them.
When you plant seeds, the harvest is a way off – sometimes it’s predictable, other times not. But the reality is, the harvest will come as the seeds are planted.
So as we have opportunity, plant “Spirit seeds.” “…let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.”
Kindness has its blessings. It is a “Spirit seed” that blesses others and is the fruit that pleases the Spirit. With God’s help keep planting more and more seeds of kindness…with your brothers and sisters in faith and with all the people around. You will, by God’s grace, receive a harvest if you don’t give up!
Apply: What makes sowing “Spirit seeds” hard for you? What blessings have you realized as you planted them?
Prayer: Lord, thank you for the kindness you have shown to me in Jesus. Use that kindness in me to plant seeds that please the Spirit, then as you promised allow me to enjoy the harvest of eternal life! AMEN.