Galatians 6:7-10 – “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. 8 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. 9 And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. 10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith. “NKJV

I have often been asked, “Why do bad things happen to good people?’ I have also been asked, “Why do some people live wicked lives and never seem to have any problems?”  I will not attempt to address the first one at this time other than to say the Bible tells us that the rain falls on the just and unjust alike, and we know from studying the scripture that it never says life is fair, only that God is just!  God will take the bad in our lives and work “all things together” for our ultimate good, which is the wrong question.

As for the second question, I have frequently replied, “Payday Someday!”  There will be a day of reckoning in which we will all give account of our lives and actions before God.  We may go through this life seemingly untouched and unaffected by our actions, but there will be an accounting.  I would rather have God’s chastening hand now than hear His judgment then!  I would instead be disciplined now than face the ultimate judgment then! 

That being said, God is far more interested in redemption than punishment.  He is far more interested in bringing us into the family of God than seeing us spend eternity in Hell.  Had that not been the case, Jesus would never have gone to the Cross.  Sadly, many have been coddled for so long and so many excuses made for their behavior that they have been anesthetized to the pricks of conscience and somehow believe that they are immune or even justified in their lifestyles and actions. 

That is another reason parents should “train up their children in the way that they should go.”  Godly training as a child may not be something that the child or teen appears to have any interest in whatsoever, but those seeds will germinate as life goes on, and they will never be able to escape those pricks to their conscience.  They may continue to reject God, but at least there will be the seed in their hearts that is an open door for the Holy Spirit to walk through to bring conviction and challenge to their lives. 

Life is somewhat like farming. 

• We reap what we sow.  The farmer will not get green beans or watermelons if he plants corn. 
• We reap later than we sow.  The crops do not rise instantly from the soil but take time to germinate, grow, develop, and produce fruit. 
• We reap more than we sow.  If you plant one kernel of corn, you get a corn stalk that produces multiple ears, each with many kernels, so the harvest is many-fold more than the initial planting. 

The same is true in life.   

• If you want to reap Love, you must sow Love. 
• If you want to reap Blessings, you must be a Blessing. 
• If you want to reap Compassion, you must demonstrate Compassion. 

The question is, “What is the harvest you need right now?”  My advice is to begin planting the seed for that harvest!

May God richly bless you as you go through your day in Him!