Thursday April 28, 2011

Read Galatians 6:7-10

As we think through our choices we need to constantly bear in mind the truth of Galatians 6:7 - a man reaps what he sows. Put into the jargon of choices we could translate it as, ‘We reap the reward of our choices’.

A good question to ask yourself as you face a choice to make (even the little choices that we think are inconsequential) is, ‘What will be the outcome of the choice I make?  This self asking takes time to develop and feels, initially, somewhat superficial but it quickly becomes life changing. I learnt this the hard way. After a particularly difficult week I came home and was angry and annoyed. My wife and I were about to have an argument about something which was so irrelevant it probably isn’t worth mentioning. I asked myself this very question - What will be the outcome of the choice I make? If I retaliate and react we’ll argue. We’ll say hurtful things. We’ll have a miserable evening and go to bed with a brick wall between us. If I don’t react but rather reach out in love and reconciliation (even if I’m at fault, even if I’m not at fault) we can have a wonderful evening. We can have fun and bless each other. At that critical moment the choice I would make, independent of my wife, would have good or bad ramifications. After a quick prayer I softly said, ‘Hey we don't’ have to fight and argue’. My wife agreed and the issue was dealt with without even a raised tone. The evening was blessed not battered.

A man reaps what he sows. Every thing I do, say or think about has implications and ramifications. I’m so pleased that God promises to forgive us for the bad choices we make. As the song says, ’I’ve done all the dumb things!’. But through it all, I’ve learned that God forgives, but He doesn’t always remove the consequences. A man really does reap what he sows.  If I speak a harsh word to my spouse, God will forgive me and she will too but it will take time to heal and to trust me completely.  A man reaps what he sows. If I bring flowers home to my wife for no other reason than to say ‘I love you,’ the consequences will flow outwards. If I take time to listen to her and empathise with her rather than criticising her for not having dinner ready, I will reap what I sow.

Let me illustrate once more with an issue that may hurt. We often believe that what I think about has no consequences and that I can think about, daydream or meditate on what I want. But as Romans 12:1-3 and Philippians 4:8 make exceedingly clear, even my thoughts have consequences.

Here’s a truth worth writing on your heart. The sin I commit in the afternoon is probably the result of my thoughts earlier on. If I am viewing pornography late at night, it’s probably because I was lusting and fantasizing earlier. If I steal at the shops on the way home, it’s probably because I was lamenting how poor I am. If I speak hurtful words to my spouse it’s probably because I was dwelling on all the things she’s done wrong and the negatives. The sin I commit in the afternoon is probably the result of my thoughts earlier on. Even my thoughts have consequences. A man reaps what he sows. What you reap tomorrow begins with what you sow today.

Prayer:-

V Meditate on Galatians 6:7-10. Spend time praising God for this truth. Ask Him to show you how this has been true in your own life.

V Pray for the work of student life. Ask God to use the men and women in that organisation to bring about a nation wide spiritual movement among uni students. Pray that many will come to the faith through these men and women.

PRAYER:

Prayer is vital to change. Prayer is talking to God. When you pray throughout this work book you will be asked to pray out loud. You will be encouraged from this time forth to speak audibly during prayer rather than just thinking things in your mind. You are also asked to make prayer a daily priority. Let nothing move you away from praying.

Read Romans 8:1 and spend time praising God for your own justification.