In Galatians 6:7 is found one of the key principles in Scripture — that of sowing and reaping.
It plainly says that what you sow, you are going to reap. This, of course, is taken from agricultural terminology in which if you plant corn, you will not reap wheat, but corn.
Spiritually speaking, which was the writer’s main intent, when we sow certain things through our attitudes or actions, we will reap similar things. For instance, if we wish for others to extend mercy to us, we had better be a person who extends mercy to others. If we offer forgiveness to others, most likely others will offer forgiveness to us when we need it. If we sow kindness, peace and love toward others, we can expect to reap from others the same graces.
The same principle applies as it pertains to negative attitudes and actions. If we are rude in our responses to others, we will experience people being rude to us. If we are dishonest with others in our dealings, we will reap the consequences of people getting back at us.
This is similar to the golden rule, which says, “Treat others how you want to be treated.” Former President George H.W. Bush made a statement years ago that I have never forgotten. He said what we need is a “kinder and gentler nation.” I think what he was saying is that we need to learn to treat others with respect and dignity.
The truth of the matter is that if you and I practice this, others will respond with like attitudes, and then we will indeed experience a better society to live in.
The question is, will you be part of the problem or part of the solution?