Sowing and Reaping by R.

Pacific Press Publishing Association · Mountain View, California · May 19, 1909

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 36, No. 20.

Sowing and Reaping

By R.

As a usual thing the great fact that we all must reap as we sow is used by religious teachers against the sinner. This is not by any means its only, or perhaps its best, application. The law is not merely a statement of fact regarding the sinner; it forms the very foundation of the hope of the Christian. From having a dreadful aspect when shrouded in the gloom of sin and hopelessness, it rises radiant with promise and beauty under the light of the Gospel of Christ.

It is incontestably true that we must reap as we sow. It is a law of the natural world; everywhere we see it working out in the realm of vegetable and animal life. Scientists give it the sounding title of “Conformity to type;” that is to say, Like begets like. In every seed there is the promise of an organism, agreeing in type with the organism that produced it.

To put in plain and simple language, we can not get something from nothing. To grow a field of corn we must plant corn. For this, no other grain will do just as well; for each seed must produce after its own kind. Wheat will produce wheat, and oats will produce oats. The law is an absolutely necessary one. Without it the world would be confusion. We might plant, but no one could possibly tell what we would reap. If we planted potatoes, we might reap artichokes; if we sowed wheat, we might reap tares.

In the natural world it is easy to see that the law is the encouragement and the incentive the world over of the farmer and the grower. God saw the need of such a law when He built the world. When He commanded the earth to bring forth grass, herb, and tree, He also laid upon these the law that each yield “seed after his kind.” Nature obeyed perfectly this mandate of God. The earth brought forth the grass and herb and tree which yielded each “seed after his kind.” They still continue so to do.

This law of reaping what we sow, of seed producing “after his kind,” is the foundation of all agricultural industry. It is for the harvest of his sowing that the farmer waits and has long patience.

A similar law operates in the spiritual world. It is, if possible, even more certain and definite than the natural law. “That which is born of the flesh is flesh [conformity to its type, if you please]; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit [conformity to the type, or kind, also].” John 3:6.

In the spiritual world, then, we can not get something from nothing. Only like can produce like. Life can not come from death, righteousness from sin, or faith from doubt.

“As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy: and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly.” 1 Cor. 15:48. Here again the law of like begetting like is plainly outlined. The earthy can produce only the earthy; it can not produce the heavenly: only the heavenly can produce the heavenly.

As we have found in the world of nature, so here we find that the law is a ground of confidence, without it all would be confusion. The spiritual law is the assurance and hope of him who seeks salvation from sin and eternal death. The disciple bids us not to cease the struggle for this very reason. Hear what he says: “Let us not be weary in well-doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.” Gal. 6:9. The farmer is not weary of sowing when he can be reasonably sure he shall reap an adequate harvest. So we are not to be weary in well-doing, for our harvest is sure.

The well-doing is a sowing in the world of spirit and the harvest is sure to be of the same kind as the sowing. If we do good, we shall reap good. “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. As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good.” Gal. 6:7-10.

He that sows to the flesh can reap only in the same kind; he can have only that which pertains to the flesh, which in the last analysis is corruption, or death. But by sowing to the Spirit we receive of the Spirit life unending. How are you sowing? What will your harvest be?

We may sow as we will, We may plant as we may; But the fruit of our lives We shall gather some day.

We may drift on the tide Where the dark waters roll, But the river flows on While it carries the soul On its unceasing tide To the unfathomed deeps, Where life and its all In eternity sleeps.

We may choose, if we will, On faith’s wings to arise To far loftier heights, Where are measureless skies; And the soul’s broader view And its height from earth’s sod Bring it closer to heaven And nearer to God.

We may choose as we will How life’s harvest shall grow, But beyond, if not here, We must reap as we sow.