When the apostle wrote, "Whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap," he stated a natural law observable by all who will observe. Nature affords abundance of illustrations to prove beyond a doubt that reaping follows sowing as surely as night follows day.
In the very first chapter of Genesis the law is announced that like produces like. "God said, Let the earth bring forth grass, the herb yielding seed, and the fruit tree yielding fruit after his kind, whose seed is in itself, upon the earth: and it was so. And the earth brought forth grass, and herb yielding seed after his kind, and the tree yielding fruit, whose seed was in itself, after his kind: and God saw that it was good." Verses 11, 12. Thus when Paul wrote, "Whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap," he simply extended and applied that law of nature to man's moral and physical nature. We all reap what we have sown. If a man wastes his strength in riotous living, in overindulgence in work or play, or is careless about wasting his nerve force and strength, he will reap the wastrel's harvest. Even if he lives to a ripe old age, he will have far less vigor than had he lived a moderate life and conserved his physical resources.
A letter was received this very day from an old man, broken in health and discouraged with his outlook on life, but who confesses that his present condition is the direct result of his own sowing, The law is inexorable, in a physical sense, that "whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap." If a man falls from a height, he is bruised or broken; if he touches fire, he is burned; if he drinks alcohol, he is poisoned. God seldom works miracles in behalf of the transgressor of nature's laws to prevent these laws from operating.
But this same law, "Whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap," is as true in its moral application as in the physical. The man who reads salacious literature, who associates with the impure, who allows his mind to dwell upon the vicious and immoral, cannot fail to reap in his own life what he has sown. Every seed bears fruit of its own kind. Those who willingly and gladly associate with the impure and unclean, cannot be pure. To achieve purity of life under these conditions would be contrary to the laws of nature as well as to the word of God.
The man who is determined to be rich at all costs will find it impossible not to covet. He may be led to take by cunning in bargaining or loaning money that which rightfully belongs to another. He sees gain in his loan or bargain, while his poor victim never dreams that he will lose by the deal. Avarice increases, and the desire for more is multiplied till the very soul becomes engrossed and hardened in sin.
Unbelief increases in the doubter's heart as the victim of unbelief seeks for evidences to confirm his doubts, and talks his unbelief. The unbeliever may lay the blame of his doubts upon whom he will, but there stands the word, "Whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap." The man who thinks unbelief, or reads unbelief, or talks unbelief, will reap what he sows. The law is there. It is inevitable, and the reaping follows the sowing.
Grudges grow and increase through passing years. I know a man who has not gone to church for twenty-four years because in those years long ago something took place of which he did not approve. The wrong is larger today in his mind than it was twenty-four years ago. Sin does not grow less in any of us if we live after the flesh. The seed bears fruit after its own kind. The harvest is according to the increase.
On the other hand, the fruit of the Spirit also increases and bears fruit after its kind. We are told that the fruit of the Spirit is "love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance." Gal. 5:22, 23. When this seed is planted in the heart, it bears fruit after its own kind. "Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting." Gal. 6:7, 8.
Spiritual seed produces a spiritual harvest. If we sow love, joy, peace, or any fruit of the Spirit, we shall reap a like harvest from our sowing. Reading the word of God, the Spirit of prophecy, spiritual literature, bears seed after its own kind. The harvest is according to the sowing. If there is a lack of Christlikeness in the life, there is good cause to search for the seed sown. One would hardly expect spirituality in a professed Christian who follows the world and keeps in touch with the spirit of the day by attending theaters, picture shows, dances, and such places as belong to the world. They all militate against the spiritual life, and sow seeds in the heart which, if they germinate, will result in the loss of eternal life.
But reading the Word of God begets desires to become Christlike in character. It brings forth faith and loyalty. It incites to prayer and communion with God. Every day it begets new and increased desires to be rid of sin. Love of the brethren is greatly increased; loyalty to the cause of God grows and abounds; and hope for eternal life is strong and steadfast.
The more one prays, the stronger is the desire for communion with the Lord. One can become so absorbed in communion with the Lord that all other things are forgotten. Spiritual sowing brings forth a spiritual harvest. In all things the law holds true, "Whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap."
This law of sowing and reaping is true in the life of every worker. Sin seldom breaks forth in some heinous act without previous sowing of sin-producing seed. The seeds that bring forth sin have been planted; and the individual loses power to resist doing the act.
Sin is a natural product of sinful thoughts, as godliness is the fruitage of prayer. the study of the Word, and the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit. "Whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap."
I. H. E.
