Paul’s Footsteps #71

Footsteps #71

Paul’s metaphor about sowing and reaping is not unique. It is a fact of life that appears in many ancient proverbs. What is significant, however, is how Paul uses it to highlight his previous comments about the flesh and the Spirit. We are free to choose, but we are not free to choose the consequences of our choice. The life of David is a classic example here. While he was forgiven for his sin of adultery and murder, he continued to suffer the consequences of that action in his family life.  

Although God does not always deliver us from the earthly consequences of our sins, we should not be overcome with despair for the bad choices we have made. We can rejoice that God has forgiven us of our sins and adopted us as His children. We should capitalize on the opportunities we have now to invest in those things that will yield a heavenly harvest.  

Therefore, whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone—especially to those in the family of faith. NLT (Gal.6:10) shows that Christian ethics has a dual focus: one is universal and all-embracing, ‘Let us do good to all people’; the other is particular and specific, ‘especially to those who belong to the family of believers.’ Paul’s universalistic appeal was based on the fact that all persons everywhere are created in the image of God and are thus infinitely precious in his sight. Whenever Christians have forgotten this basic biblical revelation, they have inevitably fallen victim to the blinding sins of racism, sexism, tribalism, classism, and a thousand other bigotries that have blighted the human community from Adam and Eve to this day.  

The indication of God’s presence among His people is in the Christlike spirit manifest within the church. It can be seen in the way forgiveness and restoration are extended to those who err, in how they help each other in trials, and in intentional acts of kindness shared not only among themselves but also with unbelievers.  

When ‘the law of Christ’ is fulfilled in our lives, we will care for those who have fallen and who are burdened. We will recognize our own weaknesses and humbly submit to every evidence of truth, lest we become spiritually proud and blind.

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