Galatians 6:8
“For the one who sows to his own flesh will reap destruction from the flesh, but the one who sows to the Spirit will reap eternal life from the Spirit.”
I can see how some may see this as a works passage, as in we earn our salvation by sowing to the Spirit. I see it as differently. In Christ, we've been set free to interrupt the process of sowing to the flesh, so we can sow to the Spirit. Those outside of Christ sow to the flesh. This isn't a judgement, but a reality. It's only in Christ, that our spirits are made alive. Yes we have a spirit, but it isn't born again. "And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh God made alive together with Him, having forgiven us all our trespasses", (Colossians 2:13).
God can make us alive which gives us His spiritual nature. This allows us to live according to today's passage. We can so to the Spirit. Along with this resurrection comes an installation of a desire to sow to the Spirit. It becomes the thing we want to do. Which is unexpected. Many don't come to Christ, as the things of God are of no interest. Yet, it's a reality. We desire to see others connect with God. We look for ways to bring Him into the conversation.
God not only makes us alive, but frees us from slavery to the flesh. Jesus replied, "Truly, truly I say to you everyone who sins is the slave to sin", (John 8:34). We had no choice, but to sow to the flesh. We were stuck.
There is much hopelessness in this state of slavery. We all had our own battles. Some are stuck in addictions, gossip, depression and so on.
Jesus wants to free us from this state. When we ask Him to forgive us, he does so. That begins this wonderful life in Him. We live today's passage, we sow to the Spirt. We want to do His will.
This involves prayer, as we want to do it, but it's not possible on our own. It's a partnership. His gives us the desire, then we ask for the power and opportunity. Sometimes these desires bear fruit, sometimes not. It's as if we knock on doors. Sometimes they open, but not always. A surfer sees a mounting wave in the distance. It can become something ridable, other times it dies out.
We can get anxious, as we can't move mountains. But that's His specialty. 'Truly I tell you, if you say to this mountain, "Be lifted up and thrown into the sea", and has no doubt, but believes that it will happen, it will be done for him', (Mark 11:23).
This process is exciting. Much like how people enjoy roller coasters. There's the fear and the want to. He gives us the desire to share Christ, but we know how immovable human hearts are. So, we ask Him to change them. We keep at it and see Him do His work. He moves mountains.
Sowing implies that a crop is coming. As we sow to the Spirit, there are the times when the crop comes in. These are great times. The ripened fruit just waiting to be picked. It's a blessing to be a part of this.
Lord, thank You for removing our desire to sow to the flesh. So much destruction in that way. You've given us a new heart that wants Your will. You partner with us in the good things You bring about. Thank Your for using us.