Galatians 6:6-10 Be Generous and Do Good
6 Let him who is taught the word share in all good things with him who teaches. 7 Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. 8 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. 9 And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. 10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.
This isn't talking about Karma, which is a fundemetal belief of Buddhism. Karma teaches that In this world nothing happens to a person that he does not for some reason or other deserve as a result of his own past actions and present doings. It is a works related belief. If I do good deeds, good things will happen to me. If I do bad deeds, bad things will happen to me.
Christianity is different. When we deserve death, we receive life. When we deserve condemnation, we receive pardon. When we deserve misery, we receive joy and blessings. And we recieve these things not by our works but through the works of another in our behalf: Jesus the Christ, the Son of God, as a gift.
Paul is stating that if you sow to the flesh, which is in rebellion against God, you will reap the results of that rebellion, which is death. Eternal destruction. But if you sow to the Spirit, which is in harmony with God, you will reap the results of that harmony, which is everlasting life.
Notice that Paul give a list of what he terms "the works of the flesh", but in effect, those are the results of sowing to the flesh. Then he contrasts it with a list of the "fruits of the Spirit", which are the results of sowing to the Spirit.
HH
Mike
