In previous articles we have mentioned that there are certain laws of life we need to understand if we expect to live a rich and rewarding life. Many of these are well known laws like the laws of gravity and cause and effect. When we work in harmony with these laws, they become tools in our hands for a richer, fuller life. When we work against them, they become as weapons to defeat our cause. A man becomes rich or poor, happy or sad, a success or failure, depending on how effectively lie uses these laws.

0ne of the laws of life we need to understand is the law of reproduction, or sowing and reaping. It is sometimes called the law of cause and effect. The apostle Paul expressed it in these words: "Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall lie also reap" (Gal. 6:7).

What a change could be brought about in this world if the people understood this law and used it to achieve the things in life they desire! What a difference it would make if we would always live in harmony with the laws of life, instead of trying to beat the system. Man is often frustrated by the desire to have his cake and eat it too, - or to enjoy the pleasure of one thing but to receive the reward of another. For example, many would like to sow to the flesh and reap of the spirit. But the law of sowing and reaping says this cannot be done.

To disregard this law is as foolish as to plant turnip seeds and confidently expect a crop of watermelons. Things do not just happen, as some suppose. But rather they come to pass as the result of action. This is the law of cause and effect.

A real problem in today's world is that too many are busy taping band-aids on the effects of our problems instead of performing major surgery on the causes. The Lord spoke of this problem in this way: "Woe unto you, scribes, and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess. Thou blind Pharisee, cleanse first that which is within the cup and platter, that the outside of them may be clean also." (Mt. 23:25-26) To eliminate undesirable effects, we must remove the cause.

If you are not pleased with what you are getting out of life, take a look at what you are putting into life. Sir Isaac Newton is reported to have said, "Every action is followed by an equal reaction." This is just-another way of stating the same truth spoken by Paul, "Whatsoever a man sows, that shall he also reap." Whatever we send out returns in kind to bless us, or to punish us. We get out of life what we put into it.

TRUTH MAGAZINE XVII: 28, p. 2
May 17, 1973