“if the Son sets you free, you are truly free.”
John 8.36
In the Old Covenant there were three types of laws and the Jews they were given to were expected to obey them all:
- Ceremonial Law
- Civil Law
- Moral Law
The ceremonial and civil laws would be pretty tough to follow to the letter in this day and age. Chances are great if you showed up at church on Sunday morning to slaughter an animal in front of the congregation you’d be thrown out and charges filed. Additionally, since the society and culture of the ancient Jews are so radically different from today, even following the civil laws of the Jews would become burdensome at best. Most of us are thankful to be set free from these types of laws, but hang on, there is another type of law that Jesus came and upended as well.
The moral law was summed up in the 10 commandments.
And God spake all these words, saying,
I am the LORD thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.
1. Thou shalt have no other gods before me.
2. Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me; And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments.
3. Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.
4. Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work: But the seventh day is the sabbath of the LORD thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates: For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it.
5. Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.
6. Thou shalt not kill.
7. Thou shalt not commit adultery.
8. Thou shalt not steal.
9. Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.
10. Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbour's.
Exodus 20:1-17
Jehovah, or Yahweh, had given the laws as a blessing to His people to do them in the land that He was giving them. In Deuteronomy 6 God spells out those blessings:
- that thy days may be prolonged (Deu 6:2)
- that it may be well with thee (Deu 6:3)
- that ye may increase mightily (Deu 6:3)
- the land that floweth with milk and honey (Deu 6:3)
- to give thee great and goodly cities, which thou buildedst not (Deu 6:10)
- houses full of all good things, which thou filledst not (Deu 6:11)
- wells digged, which thou diggedst not (Deu 6:11)
- vineyards and olive trees, which thou plantedst not (Deu 6:11)
- thou shalt have eaten and be full (Deu 6:11)
The Pharisees were quick to judgment, they had either forgotten or disregarded the mercy built into the Law.
Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: I am the LORD.
Leviticus 19:18
Be not a witness against thy neighbour without cause; and deceive not with thy lips. Say not, I will do so to him as he hath done to me: I will render to the man according to his work.
Proverbs 24:28-29
If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink: For thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head, and the LORD shall reward thee.
Proverbs 25:21-22
He giveth his cheek to him that smiteth him: he is filled full with reproach. For the Lord will not cast off for ever: But though he cause grief, yet will he have compassion according to the multitude of his mercies.
Lamentations 3:30-32
The problem was not with the law itself, the law was good, IF it was followed lawfully! Furthermore, we know why the law was given, its purpose was to reveal sin and bring us back to God. Finally, we know that only one person in all of history was able to perfectly follow the law, fulfill its purpose, and bring an end to it in the believer- Jesus Christ!
The New Covenant
In Hebrews 8.6-10 the author announces a new covenant based on better promises!
But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises. For if that first covenant had been faultless, then should no place have been sought for the second. For finding fault with them, he saith, Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah: Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; because they continued not in my covenant, and I regarded them not, saith the Lord. For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people.
Notice the comparison made in verse six between the old covenant and the new covenant. This places the text in its proper context. The author makes clear that the new covenant brought in by Jesus Christ is superior to the old covenant.
In that he saith, A new covenant, he hath made the first old. Now that which decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish away.
Hebrews 8:13
I think the following makes it clear.
Old Covenant
- The old covenant mediators (between man and God) were Priests
- The offering for sin was animals
- The blood was that of bulls and goats
- The sin offering merely covered the sin
- The annual offering for sin reminded the people of their sinfulness
- Only the Priests could enter into the presence of God
- Not ideal for a relationship with God by men and women
- Prepared men and women for the coming of Jesus Christ
- The new covenant mediator is Jesus Christ
- The offering for sin was Jesus Christ
- The blood was that of Jesus Christ
- The sin offering by Jesus Christ put them away forever
- Jesus Christ gives people a clean and clear conscience
- Through Jesus Christ we can all enter into the presence of God
- Perfect for a relationship with God by men and women through Jesus Christ
- The final covenant between man and God mediated by Jesus Christ forever
“The covenant is “better” because it is absolute not conditional, spiritual not carnal, universal not local, eternal not temporal, individual not national, internal not external.” (Believers Bible Commentary)
The Old Covenant was not complete because it was never meant to be the last word, or the final testament from God. The Old Covenant itself looked forward to its final fulfillment in Jesus Christ! The Old Covenant was a type and a shadow of what was to come. The New Covenant is that reality! This ministry of Jesus Christ ushered in a new and better covenant by which men and women might have a relationship with God.
The Old Covenant told us how to live but stopped there. The New Covenant teaches us how to live righteously and empowers us to do so. The Old Covenant exposes sin, Jesus defeats it!
In His death, Christ paid the penalty of the law which men had broken. When a sinner receives the Lord Jesus Christ as his Savior, the law has nothing more to say to him. Through the death of his Substitute, he has died to the law. He is through with the law and with the futile attempt to achieve righteousness through it. (Believers Bible Commentary)
The Old Covenant law was good, the New Covenant is better. The Old Covenant was incomplete, the New Covenant is made complete in Jesus Christ. God found fault with us in the Old Covenant, but sees none in the perfect sacrifice of Jesus Christ!
The Old Covenant was not complete because it was never meant to be the last word, or the final testament from God. The Old Covenant itself looked forward to its final fulfillment in Jesus Christ! The Old Covenant was a type and a shadow of what was to come. The New Covenant is that reality! This ministry of Jesus Christ ushered in a new and better covenant by which men and women might have a relationship with God.
The Old Covenant told us how to live but stopped there. The New Covenant teaches us how to live righteously and empowers us to do so. The Old Covenant exposes sin, Jesus defeats it!
For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.
Romans 1:4
In His death, Christ paid the penalty of the law which men had broken. When a sinner receives the Lord Jesus Christ as his Savior, the law has nothing more to say to him. Through the death of his Substitute, he has died to the law. He is through with the law and with the futile attempt to achieve righteousness through it. (Believers Bible Commentary)
The Old Covenant law was good, the New Covenant is better. The Old Covenant was incomplete, the New Covenant is made complete in Jesus Christ. God found fault with us in the Old Covenant, but sees none in the perfect sacrifice of Jesus Christ!
Love is the Standard
Standing in the temple, the center of Jewish culture, religion, and government, an expert in the law steps forward to ask Jesus an honest question, “Which is the first commandment of all?” It was a basic question, essentially asking what should they focus on above all the other laws and commandments. There were literally hundreds of them to pick from. Jesus could have given any number of answers to this question. The politically correct answer would have been that all the laws were important, none more so than the other. That is not how He answered...
Essentially God told the expert, love is the standard. If you love God with heart, soul, mind, and strength you take care of the first four commandments. If you love your neighbor, you take care of the remainder of the ten commandments. What does this look like? Paul gives a very detailed description in 1 Corinthians 13.
A love like that for God and others will more than take care of the 10 Commandments, and all of the other don’ts. Love is focused on what we can do, the law is focused on what we can’t do. The law has been fulfilled and has served its purpose for a people and a time. Now a new covenant has been established for everyone, a covenant based on love of God and love for others. The old covenant was for the Jew alone, the new covenant is for everyone.
If you love God with all of your heart, mind, strength and soul you will always keep Him first in your life. There will be nothing that comes before Him or even approaches the love you have for Him. There will be no time for idols because you won’t seek them. Being satisfied you will seek to know Him more and put into practice all of the disciplines He has given you to grow into a deeper relationship with Him. Each day will be holy, and seen as another day to accomplish the Lord’s work. You will find ways to serve and share Him whatever you find your hands doing.
The love for others Paul describes in 1 Corinthians 13 will automatically apply to your parents. You will obey and honor them, not as another command to adhere to, but because you love them and you understand that a fruit of that love is obedience.
With the love of Christ in your heart you will love and pray for even your enemies, to murder them would be inconceivable.
You won’t dishonor your spouse, even in difficult and trying times, but you will love and honor them, keeping your vows as a testimony to God and fulfilling your promise.
Because love protects and trusts, stealing and lying will no longer have a place in your life. You will, as love does, rejoice in truth.
Since love is not self seeking and doesn’t envy, you will rejoice with your neighbor over their good fortune rather than crave what they have.
Paul in his letter to Rome puts it another way:
In other words, owe no one anything except to love one another. Make sure all your other debts are paid off, but leave one outstanding. There is one debt I want you to wake up to every morning for the remainder of your life: love one another. And if you do this, you will have fulfilled the law and all of its requirements. Love is that powerful!
God is love. Love is powerful because it’s source is the Father. Love topples strongholds, conquers sin, fulfills the law, bewilders the enemy, and unleashes the Lion! Love has a purpose, and properly focused, has no equal. Love is simply unconquerable.
Compelled to Love
If you were dying, or going to a place where death was a real possibility, you might want to leave behind one prevailing thought for those who would survive you. You may want to drive home a point that you had alluded to several times in conversation, but this one thing is so important you are compelled to repeat it one last time. Such was the case with Jesus. Reclining with His disciples at the Last Supper He had just sent out Judas and turning to the rest of the disciples says this;
There is one thing Lion followers must do above all other things if the world is to know we are His disciples: Love one another. But Jesus didn’t just stop there, He quantified even more, we are not to love one another as the world loves or as others have loved us. That isn’t good enough. We are to love one another as He loves us. In order for everyone to know we are His, we are to love one another with the same profound, passionate, and radical love He showed us.
The question is not, “what does the law require,” rather it is, “what does love compel me to do?” Love will inspire and propel you in ways that the law could not. Love will drive you to do things that the law never could. And how did Jesus show His love for us? He stretched out His arms on an old rugged cross and whispered, “I love you this much.”
What will love compel you to do today? Perhaps you will pick up the phone and call an estranged daughter or son. Maybe you will forgive someone not because they deserve it, but because God loves you so much He has forgiven you. You might even look for ways to serve others without looking for anything in return. As we read in the book of Acts we catch a glimpse of the first Christians and we see how they turned the world to Christ:
Called to Freedom
When the gospel was making its way through Gentile nations in the 1st century the apostles called a special meeting because it presented a special problem. Gentiles were being saved by the thousands. The meeting was to determine what the Gentiles should be required to do. Some of the believers wanted them to be circumcised and keep the law of Moses. At one point Peter stands up and says the following:
A verdict was reached and the following letter dispatched after much debate and prayer.
It was decided that the Gentile brothers and sisters should not bear a burden the Jews had been unable to bear themselves. The apostles and elders recognized that the law had been for a time, a place, and a people- but not for the Gentiles. They would spend the rest of the New Testament expounding on this initial list, but never placing the burden of the old covenant on new believers!
To truly unleash the Lion in your life and yield massive fruit, let go of the bondage of sin and salvation by works, and embrace the freedom that only comes by Christ growing in you.
Contrary to what many believe today, the Christian life should be a life of freedom. A life free from from the bondage of sin and the law, let loose to love and serve the Lion and each other.
A life yielded to the power of the Holy Spirit will not seek to sin but will display the fruits of that indwelling, namely love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance. There is no condemnation found in these fruits. Sin has lost its stranglehold on your life if you have been crucified with Christ. You are free!
Another way to list the fruits of the Spirit is like this (and it may be more in keeping with 1 Corinthians 13): “but the fruit of the Spirit is love: joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance.” The idea being that love is defined by the eight characteristics which follow. (NET Bible) Again, it is the Lion who best exhibits each one of the fruits.
Standing in the temple, the center of Jewish culture, religion, and government, an expert in the law steps forward to ask Jesus an honest question, “Which is the first commandment of all?” It was a basic question, essentially asking what should they focus on above all the other laws and commandments. There were literally hundreds of them to pick from. Jesus could have given any number of answers to this question. The politically correct answer would have been that all the laws were important, none more so than the other. That is not how He answered...
The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord: And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.
Mark 12:29-31
Essentially God told the expert, love is the standard. If you love God with heart, soul, mind, and strength you take care of the first four commandments. If you love your neighbor, you take care of the remainder of the ten commandments. What does this look like? Paul gives a very detailed description in 1 Corinthians 13.
Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.
Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.
Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away. For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away. When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things. For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.
And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.
1 Corinthians 13
A love like that for God and others will more than take care of the 10 Commandments, and all of the other don’ts. Love is focused on what we can do, the law is focused on what we can’t do. The law has been fulfilled and has served its purpose for a people and a time. Now a new covenant has been established for everyone, a covenant based on love of God and love for others. The old covenant was for the Jew alone, the new covenant is for everyone.
If you love God with all of your heart, mind, strength and soul you will always keep Him first in your life. There will be nothing that comes before Him or even approaches the love you have for Him. There will be no time for idols because you won’t seek them. Being satisfied you will seek to know Him more and put into practice all of the disciplines He has given you to grow into a deeper relationship with Him. Each day will be holy, and seen as another day to accomplish the Lord’s work. You will find ways to serve and share Him whatever you find your hands doing.
The love for others Paul describes in 1 Corinthians 13 will automatically apply to your parents. You will obey and honor them, not as another command to adhere to, but because you love them and you understand that a fruit of that love is obedience.
With the love of Christ in your heart you will love and pray for even your enemies, to murder them would be inconceivable.
You won’t dishonor your spouse, even in difficult and trying times, but you will love and honor them, keeping your vows as a testimony to God and fulfilling your promise.
Because love protects and trusts, stealing and lying will no longer have a place in your life. You will, as love does, rejoice in truth.
Since love is not self seeking and doesn’t envy, you will rejoice with your neighbor over their good fortune rather than crave what they have.
Paul in his letter to Rome puts it another way:
Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law. For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.
Romans 13:8-10
In other words, owe no one anything except to love one another. Make sure all your other debts are paid off, but leave one outstanding. There is one debt I want you to wake up to every morning for the remainder of your life: love one another. And if you do this, you will have fulfilled the law and all of its requirements. Love is that powerful!
God is love. Love is powerful because it’s source is the Father. Love topples strongholds, conquers sin, fulfills the law, bewilders the enemy, and unleashes the Lion! Love has a purpose, and properly focused, has no equal. Love is simply unconquerable.
Compelled to Love
If you were dying, or going to a place where death was a real possibility, you might want to leave behind one prevailing thought for those who would survive you. You may want to drive home a point that you had alluded to several times in conversation, but this one thing is so important you are compelled to repeat it one last time. Such was the case with Jesus. Reclining with His disciples at the Last Supper He had just sent out Judas and turning to the rest of the disciples says this;
"Little children, yet a little while I am with you. Ye shall seek me: and as I said unto the Jews, Whither I go, ye cannot come; so now I say to you. A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another."
John 13:33-35
There is one thing Lion followers must do above all other things if the world is to know we are His disciples: Love one another. But Jesus didn’t just stop there, He quantified even more, we are not to love one another as the world loves or as others have loved us. That isn’t good enough. We are to love one another as He loves us. In order for everyone to know we are His, we are to love one another with the same profound, passionate, and radical love He showed us.
The question is not, “what does the law require,” rather it is, “what does love compel me to do?” Love will inspire and propel you in ways that the law could not. Love will drive you to do things that the law never could. And how did Jesus show His love for us? He stretched out His arms on an old rugged cross and whispered, “I love you this much.”
What will love compel you to do today? Perhaps you will pick up the phone and call an estranged daughter or son. Maybe you will forgive someone not because they deserve it, but because God loves you so much He has forgiven you. You might even look for ways to serve others without looking for anything in return. As we read in the book of Acts we catch a glimpse of the first Christians and we see how they turned the world to Christ:
And all that believed were together, and had all things common; and sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need. And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.
Acts 2:44-47
And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common. And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all. Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold, and laid them down at the apostles' feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need.
Acts 2:32-35
Called to Freedom
When the gospel was making its way through Gentile nations in the 1st century the apostles called a special meeting because it presented a special problem. Gentiles were being saved by the thousands. The meeting was to determine what the Gentiles should be required to do. Some of the believers wanted them to be circumcised and keep the law of Moses. At one point Peter stands up and says the following:
Men and brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe. And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as he did unto us; And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith. Now therefore why tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear? But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they.
Acts 15:7-11
A verdict was reached and the following letter dispatched after much debate and prayer.
The apostles and elders and brethren send greeting unto the brethren which are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia: Forasmuch as we have heard, that certain which went out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls, saying, Ye must be circumcised, and keep the law: to whom we gave no such commandment: It seemed good unto us, being assembled with one accord, to send chosen men unto you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, Men that have hazarded their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. We have sent therefore Judas and Silas, who shall also tell you the same things by mouth.For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things; That ye abstain from meats offered to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication: from which if ye keep yourselves, ye shall do well. Fare ye well.
Acts 15:23-29
It was decided that the Gentile brothers and sisters should not bear a burden the Jews had been unable to bear themselves. The apostles and elders recognized that the law had been for a time, a place, and a people- but not for the Gentiles. They would spend the rest of the New Testament expounding on this initial list, but never placing the burden of the old covenant on new believers!
To truly unleash the Lion in your life and yield massive fruit, let go of the bondage of sin and salvation by works, and embrace the freedom that only comes by Christ growing in you.
For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another. For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself."
Galatians 5:13-14
Contrary to what many believe today, the Christian life should be a life of freedom. A life free from from the bondage of sin and the law, let loose to love and serve the Lion and each other.
A life yielded to the power of the Holy Spirit will not seek to sin but will display the fruits of that indwelling, namely love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance. There is no condemnation found in these fruits. Sin has lost its stranglehold on your life if you have been crucified with Christ. You are free!
Another way to list the fruits of the Spirit is like this (and it may be more in keeping with 1 Corinthians 13): “but the fruit of the Spirit is love: joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance.” The idea being that love is defined by the eight characteristics which follow. (NET Bible) Again, it is the Lion who best exhibits each one of the fruits.
Love
But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
Romans 5:8
Joy
“These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.”
Luke 10:21
Peace
“Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”
John 14:27
Long-suffering
The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
2 Peter 3:9
Gentleness
When he was come down from the mountain, great multitudes followed him. And, behold, there came a leper and worshipped him, saying, Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean. And Jesus put forth his hand, and touched him, saying, “I will; be thou clean.” And immediately his leprosy was cleansed.
Matthew 8:1-3
Goodness
For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
Ephesians 2:10
Faithfulness
But Christ as a son over his own house; whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end.
Hebrews 3:6
Meekness
A bruised reed shall he not break, and smoking flax shall he not quench, till he send forth judgment unto victory.
Matthew 12:20
Temperance
" Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.”
Luke 22:42
Displaying the fruits by living in the Spirit even changes how we discipline a wayward brother or sister. The law called for judgement. The Spirit calls for restoration!
Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.
Galatians 6:1
Sowing and Reaping
Returning at last to the soil, Paul reminds us of an age old principle:
Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.
Galatians 6:7-9
We are always sowing and reaping. Someone is always watching. Our actions will reveal whose disciples we truly are. Jesus did not promise us an easy life on earth. There will be times we will grow so weary and tired we may think about giving up. Don’t give up! There is a promise here, “for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.” These verses speak of effort, timing, and perseverance. We will look more closely at all three in the chapters to come.
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