One of the principles we hear talked about over and over as Christians is the law of sowing and reaping. The Apostle Paul wrote to the church in Corinth:
“Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will reap generously” 2 Corinthians 9:6 (NIV)
We might simply say you get out of something what you put into it. Paul wasn’t the first to teach us this truth. After the flood the Lord God made a promise to Noah and to humanity:
“As long as the truth endures, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night, will never cease” Genesis 8:22
The law of sowing and reaping effects everything we do. When we sow an action, we will eventually reap a habit. Even the thoughts that we don’t take captive to the obedience of Christ will reap poison in our lives. When the farmer sows a seed into the ground, he must allow time for the seed to develop and change under the earth. It doesn’t look like much is going on, but that seed will become an awesome creation of God. We’ve been through the first five steps toward wholeness and God has begun a work in our lives. The seed of faith has been planted and has begun to grow and change us deep inside. Although on the surface things may not look a whole lot different; we still must face our lives and our circumstances. But all is not the same. Deep inside we have sown righteousness and in time we will reap a life overflowing in the righteousness of our Savior, Jesus Christ.
“Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. 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. And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.” Galatians 6:7-9 (NKJV)
STEP SIX: “Become willing to have God, through His Holy Spirit, shape us into His image and trust that He will do so.”
Two key words of this step are; BECOME WILLING.
We must become willing for God to change to change us, to shape us, to mold us, and to transform our lives.
Jesus said: “Blessed are those who are hungry and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.” Matthew 5:6
Are you hungry for righteousness in your life? Are you tired of the vicious cycle of trying to stay clean, sober, fulfilled, joyous, etc. in your own strength? Are you thirsty for Gods way of doing things? Are you finally at the end of your self and have found that you are not enough?
ARE YOU TRULY HUNGRY AND THIRSTY FOR JESUS? He promises to fill you, to meet your needs, and to transform your life.
Step Six is not about self-effort. It’s allowing the Holy Spirit to have free reign in our lives to burn away the dross, so that only the pure remains. This process can be very unpleasant for us. It hurts when the fire is applied. We may try to keep things in our lives that God is trying to burn out. We cannot avoid this process if we are to grow in our walk with God and in our recovery. If we will allow God to work deep inside our lives, He completes in us what He had in mind for us when He created us.
God’s ultimate purpose for our lives is to make us like Jesus. Just like our recovery, this is a process. We can trust God in the midst of this sometimes painful process of letting go and letting God work in us.
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.” Romans 8:28 (NIV)
Step six is becoming willing to be what God wants us to be. It’s a lifetime process that is sometimes painful, but the rewards are abundant (fullness of life).
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