Hosea 10:12 Sow for yourselves righteousness,
reap the fruit of unfailing love,
and break up your unplowed ground;
for it is time to seek the Lord,
until he comes
and showers righteousness on you.

I really like the song that Noriko Sasaki wrote to this verse, arranging the words only a little to fit the music. Of course that’s in Japanese, but the Lord gave me a pretty good translation for it (though I sing it much more often in Japanese). This verse fits closely with a Biblical principle that is ignored all to often, and that is the Law of Sowing and Reaping. Some people are so focused on grace that they ignore it, as though our actions mean nothing, but even the New Testament brings this Law out clearly. The clearest statement is in Galatians 6:7. “Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.” In other words, actions have consequences. God is incredibly gracious, and by faith the penalty for sin is erased, but at the very least there is lost blessing whenever we sin. Paul used the illustration of construction materials, and said that if we build our lives with junk we will lose it all, even if we manage to hold onto eternal life by faith. (1 Corinthians 3:11-15) Far too many Christians are using this world’s plastic as their main building material! (Plastic didn’t exist in Paul’s day, but I’m sure he would have mentioned it if it had.) Just yesterday I preached on repentance, and that is the only answer when we realize we have been building with trash. Repentance is one of the primary works of righteousness, because without repentance we can’t hope to receive the righteousness of Christ. It gets complicated, as far as how we think of it, because we can never be righteous enough by our own efforts, so in that way it’s all God, but we must choose to receive and walk in the righteousness God offers to us. In a sense it all comes down to what Augustine said: “Love God and do as you please.” When our love for God is in response to a full appreciation of His love for us, then we won’t want to do anything that contradicts Him in any way.

I feel God has taught this to my heart, but sometimes I feel like I’m running into a brick wall when I try to get it across to others. We want it either to be our own effort, so we can be proud of it, or all God, handed to us on a platter so we don’t have to do anything. Sorry, neither way works. Traditionally, Japanese have been very hard workers, so they have hung up on the aspect of receiving salvation by grace. However, an entitlement mentality seems to be common among young people in all cultures, and that wants it all for nothing. I have neither wisdom nor skill in myself to counter either deception, so I’ve got to rely on the Holy Spirit. There too, however, I’ve got to make myself available, which means engaging people in conversation, giving them God’s truth and challenging them to receive it. I am not to be discouraged when that truth isn’t received, but rather keep praying and keep witnessing, so that as many as will may be saved.

Father, thank You for the fruit You have given me. Thank You for getting through my own stubborn willfulness and using me in spite of myself. Help me exercise toward others the patience and love You have poured out on me, so that I may not stand in the way of their repentance and faith for salvation, for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!