“Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap.” Galatians 6:7
As I look back over the years of my life, I would love to tell you that my actions have always pointed others to Jesus. I would be thrilled to say to you today that the years behind me have been filled with nothing more than being a light to the world. That I have never struggled with selfishness, impatience, bitterness, envy –and on and on and on. But unfortunately, you won’t hear me say that. I have had my fair share of mistakes and mess-ups. I have created chaos instead of calm numerous times. I know –disappointing, right? Yes absolutely, but it’s the truth, and honestly a hard pill to swallow.
While my heart is most certainly saddened to look back on the mistakes of my past and while it plagues me with shame to know how my actions have hurt others, the truth is that the worst destruction you can cause in someone’s life is not the actual emotional effects, it’s how those actions that hurt others deeply affect the testimony of your love for Christ.
When I tell you that I am a Christian and a follower of Jesus, it should hold weight and my life should demonstrate the evidence of the goodness of God living in and working through me. What I have sown into the soil will eventually be what I reap for my life and most often the lives of those around me. So, when I tell you that I love the Lord, the fruit that is growing in my life should be evidence of that. What I have planted and sown, will eventually show itself.
This is why our actions hold so much weight. You see, they show what our hearts are devoted to because in all actuality they display the tangible truths of what we have planted. Without the strength of the Lord in my life, I will fall short every single time. On my own, I will grow tired and weary of “trying to do good”. But when I am walking with and trusting in the Lord, His ways, and His plans, my actions affirm that.
The lasting effect of this is that I reap a harvest that honors God and in turn, shows others how to honor Him as well. At the end of the day, my actions, my works, and my deeds can usher others in one of two directions –toward Christ or away from Him. This is huge and should not be taken lightly. Your testimony and your influence on others are immense. The fruit of your life and your outward display of what resides in your heart could quite possibly be what determines where the ones around you spend eternity.
“He will render to each one according to his works: to those who by patience in well-doing seek for glory and honor and immortality, he will give eternal life; but for those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, there will be wrath and fury.” Romans 2:6-8
Does this mean that as believers, we don’t make mistakes and feel the guilt and shame of those wrongdoings? Not one bit. As long as we live in a broken world, we will all remain broken to a degree as we fight to flee from sin and run toward righteousness. But outsiders are watching how you make right your wrongs. Do you recognize your wrongs, or do you belittle them? Do you face them head-on as you walk towards repentance, or do you make excuse after excuse for your behavior? Do you respond to the conviction of the Holy Spirit, or do you allow yourself to be handed over to these sins that are taking you down? Your actions and responses matter tremendously.
What are you sowing today? Are you sowing the seeds of life that point others to the Almighty? We can trust that whatever we are sowing; is what we will reap. I would encourage you to take some time to examine the fruit that is growing in your life today. It matters and so do your actions –for the here and now and for all of eternity.
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