Angelic Conflict part 348: Future work of Christ [Bema seat] – Gal 6:6-10; Mat 6:19-34.

Title: Angelic Conflict part 348: Future work of Christ [Bema seat] - GAL 6:6-10; MAT 6:19-34.

 

 

The Galatian saints who have deserted grace for law, are exhorted to put themselves under the ministry of the teachers who led them into grace, and are warned that if they do not, they will reap a harvest of corruption (6:6-10).

 

GAL 6:6 And let the one who is taught the word share all good things with him who teaches.

 

"Is taught" refers to oral teaching. "share" - koinwne,w[koinoneo] = to have in common, fellowship, to take part in. It refers to both sharing in truth and in materialism with the teacher of doctrine.

 

GAL 6:7 Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap.

 

The word "mocked" means to turn up the nose, to ridicule, to ignore, to sneer." The thought which Paul wishes to press home to the Galatians is that it is vain to think that one can outwit God by reaping a harvest different from that which a person has sown.

 

Can a person outwit God by reaping a harvest different from that which he has sown?

 

Paul therefore warns the Galatians against being led astray by the Judaizers, and reminds them that they cannot outwit God in doing so, for it will lead to disaster in their lives and chastening from the hand of God.

 

A believer should not be shocked at what kind of fruit he is producing in life unless he is extremely ignorant of the truth. With truth we should thoroughly understand that whatever I invest in, whatever I plant, wherever I plant, I am going to reap the harvest of that particular seed. When good seed [positive believer] is put in good soil [plan of God for his life] and if furnished by the right power [doctrine and the F/HS] then only good and right harvest can result. Abide in Me and you will bear much fruit. This has nothing to do with circumstances working out, but with prosperity in the soul despite circumstances.

 

GAL 6:8 For the one who sows to [with a view to] his own flesh shall from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to [with a view to] the Spirit shall from the Spirit reap eternal life [benefits of in time].

 

Sowing with a view to the evil nature refers to the act of a person choosing those courses of conduct that will gratify the cravings of the totally depraved nature. In other words, those who set their minds on the things of the flesh or the Spirit and so it refers to a purpose, a view, or a goal.

 

In this context, these words refer to the Galatians who in following the teachings of the Judaizers, catered to the desires of the evil nature. All false systems of religion are so adjusted that they appeal to the fallen nature of man, satisfying his religious instinct for worship, while at the same time allowing him to go on in his flesh since grace is the only cure.

 

A view to the flesh will reap an inferior condition. A view to the Holy Spirit will reap the blessings of EL in time, a superior condition.

 

The teachings of the Judaizers catered to the fallen natures of the Galatians in that they made no demand for the necessity of regeneration nor for faith in an atoning sacrifice that paid for sin. God, who has given us regeneration in grace, can demand the out-living of that regeneration in time. Legalism cannot demand that or give the power towards it since it is ever working towards regeneration. So the legalist can never really be thankful since he is always pursuing a position with God. Before I can work out my salvation I must be thankful for its gift (given in Christ, being fulfilled in Christ, being thankful and complete, and only then being used by the Father for divine production … did you believe in Christ because you wanted to glorify Him or because you wanted the eternal life that was promised?).

 

JOH 11:25

"I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me shall live even if he dies

 

Therefore a life of grace has a much greater calling upon the believer who is already cleansed, made righteous, holy, and blameless than any legalist could even see.

 

The teachings of the Judiazers stressed a salvation-by-works religion, which glorifies man, not God, and which allows him to go on in his sinful lifestyle while seeking to buy the favor of God by his so-called good works. On the contrary, under God's plan of grace, we are called to produce that which is divinely good or eternal in character since we are all already seated with Christ in the heavenlies. Our life is Christ and hid with Him at the right hand of God. The sinful nature is crucified and so the calling upon our lives is not in the glory of ourselves or any creature but unto the very real glory of God. Which is more marvelous and pious, the glorification of a man or the glorification of the God? In grace there is far, far more production than in legalism.

 

1CO 15:10

But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me did not prove vain; but I labored even more than all of them, yet not I, but the grace of God with me.

 

He who sows to the flesh sows to the earthly and mundane and though visible and praised by other earth dwellers, and Paul says it will only lead to corruption. From our study of the contents of chapter 5 we have seen that such corruption was already starting in the lives of the Galatians. He who sows to the Spirit sows to the eternal and extraordinary, and Paul says it will be a resurrection life.

 

The resurrection life is of such impact to ourselves and others and is so beyond the life of the flesh that we are now exhorted to keep at it in perseverance and to not lose heart or grow weary in divine good production.

 

GAL 6:9 And let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we shall reap if we do not grow weary.

 

Fighting with the sin nature, the world system, and the KOD can be mentally exhausting. What is it that will keep us going? What is it that keeps a soldier going through a special forces school? It's not just physical conditioning since all of the candidates have that at the beginning, but it is the mental toughness of wisdom and proper motivation. All believer have the position, but not all plug in learning so that they develop the mental toughness of wisdom and proper motivation. When fear creeps in due to a vision of the future, a vision that you see yourself as unable to handle, then quitting becomes much easier. Once the mind has made itself up and quits it becomes more difficult to return.

 

"lose heart" - temptation to slacken effort by reason of weariness caused by the prolonged effort. "weary" - to be overcome with pressure and fatigue.

 

 

MAT 6:27 "And which of you by being anxious can add a single cubit to his life's span?

 

Cubit is a measure of length. When we die we will not take one more step. "Which of you can add a step to his life by being anxious?"

 

GAL 6:9 And let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we shall reap if we do not grow weary.