REAPING WHAT YOU SOW (E. A.

Frimpong, Preacher, Church of Christ, Boadi, Ghana)

1. The present situation. Many are those who presently blame all their difficulties and predicaments on others and do not see any action or inaction of theirs that might have caused these. Example (a) Some people whose wares or products do not sell out blame others. (b) Some people who are not getting married partners blame others. (c) Some of those who are unable to secure jobs or whose works do not see progress attribute it to others. (d) Some people who fail in their examinations or other ventures blame others. (e) Others whose dreams of travelling get dashed blame others. Additionally, people do not see the success of others as resulting from their effort but rather attribute it to some supernatural power. The effect of this is the continually predicaments that most people face, the increasing number of sikaduro and superstition cases and the proliferation of self-styled pastors, priests and mallams who on a daily bases record high attendance.

2. Gods law. What most people have failed to realise is that present predicaments and joyful situations all go to confirm one of Gods natural laws (Gal 6:7, Jas 1:13-15). It must be noted that one always reaps more than what one plants. Eg. if one sows a seed of corn, one reaps more than the single. Thus one receives multiples of ones good actions and bad actions. 3. The importance of the law. (a) Without the principle of sowing and reaping, the world would be very chaotic. The essence of this law is to ensure that people conduct themselves satisfactorily because they know that their bad deeds will not go unpunished and that their good deeds will be rewarded. This will ensure that the world becomes peaceful and comfortable to live in. (b) Our forefathers realised this and also came up with a number of proverbs to buttress Gods word If you through a ball to the wall, it bounces back to you. If you do good you do for yourself and if you do bad you do for yourself S wo we fo nsa na wo ahw wo de. ny da a wobto bo atwa asuo fraw no na mpafee besiwo

4. Demonstration of the law. The godly will reap of his bad deeds while the sinful will also reap of his good deeds. It is very difficult to escape from reaping what one sows. (a) David. He killed Uriah and also took his wife. [sow: 2Sam12:9-12, Reap: 16:21-22] (b) Paul. He persecuted the early Christians; he also suffered countless persecutions when he became a Christian.[Sow: Acts 8:3, 7:58 Reap: 2Cor 11:24-27] (c) Isaac. He deceived and was deceived [Sow Gen 26:1-9, Reap: Gen 27:32-33] (d) Rahab. He saved the spies and by so doing saved her family and herself. [Sow: Joshua 2:1-15, Reap: Jos. 6:17-25] (e) Jezeebel. She killed Nabot and took his vineyard. [Sow: 1Ki 21: 7 15, Reap: 1Ki 21:23] (f) Adoni-Bedek. He cut off the thumb and toes of kings. [Judges 1:7] (g) Some world leaders who ruled wickedly and are now reaping of their wickedness. Eg Sadam Hussien. (h) Some world leaders such as Nelson Mandela who ruled kindly and is now reaping of his kindness. (i) Examples abound for other individuals such as Mr. J. K. Frimpong who have been taking destitute children. He children are beneficiaries of several scholarships and sponsorships. 5. Conclusion (a) Our present successes, challenges and predicaments are largely due to our own past actions. (b) It is very difficult to escape reaping of what we sow (c) We must remember our creators in the days of our youth so that we do not sow what will hurt us when we are older. (d) We must allow our lives to be controlled by Gods word. (e) The role of the devil and some of our predicaments is not disputed. However, the devil mainly gains access when we let him in through our action and inactions. We still are to be blamed for allowing him to cause us troubles. (f) We reap more than what we put in the ground. So expect more blessings for a single good and more punishments for a single bad.