ICS Daily Devotions
Reap Everlasting Life
Galatians 6:7-8 (NKJV) Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life.
The Apostle Paul contrasts the lifestyles of those who sow in the flesh and those who sow in the Spirit to tell us that it is possible to sow and walk in the Spirit based on the new creation. In fact, this is the way to obtain the promises of being able to act and live differently after we have been saved in order to enjoy the abundant life!
The flesh is the sum of appetites, desires and needs whose purpose is the satisfaction of self. Individualism is the deathbed of every marriage and relationship because of its self-centredness, which causes us to demand our rights, entitlements and privileges and disregard the feelings and opinions of others. Therefore, in order to enjoy the abundant life, we have to renew our mind to walk in the Spirit and sow in the Spirit.
For example, if an insecure person likes to control their spouse, it will trigger a reaction from the spouse who despises being controlled, and if a person with a sharp tongue has nothing good or edifying to say, their words might hurt the person whom they profess to love. The emotional reservoir will soon dry up because there isn’t any input of love. Meanwhile, someone might struggle with jealousy caused by the insecurity or emotional baggage while growing up, and therefore causes a toxic environment in the home or marriage. We find it hard to love because we’ve never been loved, and we hurt others because we don’t want to be hurt! Since we have built a shield around us and hardened our hearts, we are not reaping love from those around us because we’ve been sowing hurtful and condescending words, and we are not prospering in our emotions as Christians.
However, once we have our security and identity established in Jesus Christ, we don’t need to constantly look for affirmation and acceptance from man. Instead, we will begin to live out of our being in Christ, allowing love, grace and mercy to flow out of us and bless our spouse and those around us. Therefore, we need to change and claim these promises that we are a new creation, secure in Jesus Christ, our words can be seasoned with salt, and we can speak blessings, and words of edification and affirmation.
Just like God calls those things that are not as though they are, so you will also say things, see things and address things differently! Once we begin to practise and claim these promises, we will see our marriage, relationships and home environment begin to turn around for good!
Sermon Series: You Are in the Hall of Faith! (Part 4)
