“You got what you deserved,” or statements that have similar meanings, have been standard sayings for centuries, showing up in literature and common language. Everyone who hears it knows what biblical thoughts this conjures up: “You reap what you sow.”
While this is a true statement, and filled with all sorts of ideas of revenge, recompense, and pay-backs, there is a side of the statement that is vastly overlooked.
Paul’s letter to the church at Galatia
First, even a casual Bible student would know the famous verse from Paul’s letter to the church at Galatia when he states “Be not deceived, God is not mocked, for whatsoever a man soweth that shall he also reap.” Galatians 6:7
This verse is generally looked at as averse to people get what they deserve. That is backed up by many life instances where one may do something that they know could result in repercussions of one thing or another, and see them come to pass only to admit that their original actions were not wise.
However, believers must realize that there is a positive aspect of this verse as well.
The positive aspect of this verse
Secondly, this passage reminds people that since God is not mocked, you cannot put anything over on God. He sees all and knows all; therefore; he will not be manipulated or toyed with. One should not be deceived or fooled into believing that God could be exploited for a person’s own wants or desires; in fact, when someone acts in a particular way, the results are certain to be reflexive in some way to his or her actions.
Albert Barnes, a notable Presbyterian minister in the 1800s, wrote the following concerning mocking God: “He cannot be imposed on, or mocked. He knows what our real character is, and he will judge us accordingly.”
There is, thirdly, an aspect that Paul mentions in another letter, to yet another church. The thought presented to the church at Corinth is deeper, and takes on a more positive note. “But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall also reap sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall also reap bountifully.” 2 Corinthians 9:6
In this verse, Paul is addressing the giving financially of the church to various needs and is teaching the positive aspect of reaping what one has sowed. It is important to remember that as one does good, there will be a reward from that, as much as if one does evil, and should expect a return on his or her investment.
What a person puts their time into comes back in some form or another. It is critical to examine all one’s actions and ensure that you are acting and living in such a way as to, first, please the heavenly Father, and, secondly, love your neighbor as yourself. This idea of better sowing leads to better reaping, just as the idea of sowing poorly will lead to a poor harvest.
As one plans and purposes his days, it is important to plan on one’s actions lining up with the expectations found in Scripture. This alone is the surety to enjoy all the days of a person’s life. To God alone be the glory.
