As we continue into 2023, it is important for us to consider the harvest that we want to produce in our lives. The principle of sowing and reaping in scripture works both positively and negatively. Paul makes that principle clear in Galatians 6: 7-9: “Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.” Proverbs 22: 8 says: “The one who sows righteousness reaps a sure reward, but whoever sows injustice reaps calamity.” Therefore, we must consider the kind of seeds we are sowing as we will most definitely reap the harvest in accordance to our deeds and actions and obedience to the Lord.
The term anadrome describes words that spell different words forward and backward that will help us put our choices into perspective: EVIL or LIVE; DEVIL or LIVED? The first mention of the word “evil” is found in Genesis 2:9 “And out of the ground made the LORD God to grow every tree that is pleasant to the sight, and good for food; the tree of life also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of knowledge of good and evil.” God makes the choice clear—choose the tree of life or tree of evil. This is the same choice that He presents us with today.
The origins for sin and evil in both Old and New Testaments are traced to the activities of an evil creature, Satan (1 John 3:8: “the devil has been sinning from the beginning”) and to human sin that led to a fall (Romans. 5: 12-14). The word “devil” in the KJV appears 59 times. The word “evil” appears 613 times (6 being the number of man and 13 the number for rebellion). That gives us something to think about! There is indeed a battle for the life and soul of mankind that can be traced from Genesis through Revelation. Let’s examine some characteristics of the harvest that results from seeds of evil in a person: They enjoy the misfortune of others. They have control issues. They are habitually dishonest. They are selfish and greedy. They make others feel uncomfortable. They have a short fuse and are easily angered. They mislead others and are manipulating. They lack remorse. They are vindictive and unforgiving. They lack responsibility.
As we notice in Genesis 2: 9 God abundantly provided trees in the Garden that were beautiful and good for food. The first mention of life is in this verse as He referred to the tree of life. God’s plan for mankind is a good one from this first mention of the tree of life to the last mention in Revelation 22: 2. “Live” is mentioned 246 times in the Bible and “lived” is mentioned 58 times. Jesus came that we might have life and have it more abundantly. (John 10:10)
Jesus lived a perfect life and died that we can live forever! He came to destroy the works of the devil. (1 John 3:8) We are to live for Christ, not for ourselves (2 Corinthians 5:15). One of the last things Jesus told his disciples was to teach people “to obey everything I have commanded you” (Matthew 28:20). Perfect obedience is not the goal of the Christian life – the goal of the Christian life is to love God. God is transforming us into the image of Christ. By God’s grace and power, we are becoming more like Christ. His commands involve not just outward behavior, but also the thoughts and motives of our hearts. These thoughts and motives of our hearts need the transforming power of the Holy Spirit – we cannot change them just by willpower. Christ lives in us, and He leads us by the Holy Spirit toward obedience. Part of faith is trusting God to do his work in us. It is God who works in us, both to will and to behave according to his good purpose (Philippians 2: 13). So what does a life lived for Christ look like? 1 Thessalonians 5: 12-22 contains a basic list:
§ Respect those…over you in the Lord…. § Live in peace with each other…. § Warn those who are idle, § encourage the timid, § help the weak, § be patient with everyone…. § always try to be kind…. § Be joyful always; § pray continually; § give thanks in all circumstances… § Do not put out the Spirit’s fire; § do not treat prophecies with contempt. § Test everything. § Hold on to the good. § Avoid every kind of evil. What should we do when we fall short? Repent and ask forgiveness, in full confidence that forgiveness has already been given to us in Christ.
I Peter 2: 12 says: “Live such good lives among the pagans that they may see your good deeds and glorify God.” Matthew 9: 37 says “Then saith He unto His disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the laborers are few.” Jesus wants us to be laborers together with God (I Cor. 3:9) during 2023 so that we will experience incredible growth and fruit we never expected will come forth both in us and through us for His glory! Remember, the seeds we sow will produce a harvest and the choice is ours. May we grow up and grow others in Christ in 2023!