Reaping and Romans 8:1

[FundamentalDan]

I would like to ask for some opinions on this. I have often heard people use Galatians 6:7-9 and state the following three principles: (1) We reap what we sow. (2) We reap after we sow. (3) We reap more than we sow. If this is true, then where does Romans 8:1 enter in? If one has committed a sin and repented, then are they relieved of some of the consequences of their sin? If one sins but does not continue in that sin, are they free from some of the consequences? And, finally, has anyone really reaped even equal to the amount of wrong that he has sown as a Christian? Just wondering...

FundamentalDan, kind of starting to get the hang of this place.

[swaimj]

I have heard those three points given also. I don't think they exactly reflect the point Paul is making. Paul is saying that, as Christians, we can walk according to the flesh or walk according to the Spirit. There are consequences/benefits to our choice and they tend to multiply over time. There certainly seems to be inequality in life in terms of exact consequences for specific actions. For example, one person smokes cigarettes for years and dies of old age. Another smokes for 20 years, quits, and then 20 years later has lung cancer. In general we can say that a person will reap what they sow, but we should be careful about predicting exactly what they will reap. Somtimes the crop looks different when it springs up from what we might have expected. And sometimes the reaping may not take place in this life.

[preacher]

If you sow a kernel of corn in the ground,
how much corn do you get in return? Certainly
much more than you sowed. Its the same "idea"
with sin, or even with works,(witnessing,
giving etc.) Swaimj is right though, it may not necessarly be in this life.