7 Things God Is Not (Part 2)

Last month, I shared the first part of this three-part series considering the first two “God Is Not…” statements found in God’s Word. We looked at the first statement in Numbers 23:19 – God is not a man. And the second one was found in 1 Corinthians 14:33 – God is not the author of confusion. Let’s continue into the next two times the Bible tells us something that “God Is Not.”
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Statement #3 – God is not mocked.​

“Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.” Galatians 6:7

​Statement #4 – God is not unrighteous.

“For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.” Hebrews 6:10

Statement #3 – God is not mocked.

“Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.”  Galatians 6:7 

​Paul begins this verse with a strong warning. In today’s vernacular, he might have said, “Christian, don’t be fooled into ignoring what I’m about to say! This is no joke!” We find our subject of study in the next phrase – “God is not mocked.” Our God is not One Who will allow His character to be defamed forever. We may look at all the horrible things that are happening in our world today and wonder why God allows people to mock Him when He says very clearly that He will not be mocked. Is this a contradiction in the Scriptures? Of course, we know it is not! We have already seen that God is not a man who changes His mind or Who lies about what He will do. (See Statement #1 of this series).

So how do we interpret this phrase considering the seeming contradiction? Look at the remainder of verses 7 and 8 – “…for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.” ​

God is not mocked because every man will reap exactly what he has sown in this life one day. The Bible is clear here that the law of sowing and reaping that we observe even in nature is true in our spiritual lives as well. Many people have made observations about the laws of sowing and reaping, but here are a few to consider –

1. You always reap WHAT you sow.
2. You always reap MORE THAN you sow.
3. You always reap LATER THAN you sow.

​How do these observations apply to our study of what God is not? Many people believe that they can flout God’s laws and live however they want to here and not have to answer for it later. These principles of sowing and reaping are exactly what Paul was referring to here when he said, “God is not mocked.” The harvest day will come. At that harvest, God will not be mocked. Paul tells us in Philippians 2 that every knee WILL bow before the Lord one day. And every person will give an account of himself to God (Romans 14:12 and 1 Peter 4:5). We don’t know when that day will be, but we can be assured that it will come. The questions to consider are these – What kind of seed are you sowing here in this life? What will your eternal harvest look like?

Statement #4 – God is not unrighteous.

“For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward His name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.” Hebrews 6:10

English does not usually like the use of a double negative, but we find it used here to clearly express a positive truth – God is, always has been, and always will be righteous in the way He deals with people. The writer of Hebrews uses this phrase, “God is not unrighteous” in reference to His saints in their service to Him. Sometimes in the service of the King, it might feel like we are all alone. I know thoughts have crossed my mind like this: “Am I the only one doing right?” 

Elijah fell into this “pity-party” mentality when he was looking at the huge numbers of Baal’s prophets, and he felt like he was the only one serving God! But I believe this “God Is Not…” statement should encourage us that our righteous God sees it all. He knows our work and our motive behind the work even if no one else ever knows what we did or how we did it. He knows when we minister to someone’s need and that “labor of love” goes unnoticed. He promises to remember those things. This statement should be a comfort to us and a reminder that when we minister and serve others, we should do it as if we are serving Him personally. 

Jesus taught this principle in Matthew 25 when He explains the dividing of the sheep and the goats. He tells the people in Matthew 25:40 that when they served others and provided for their needs, it was as if they served the King Himself. God takes our service to others in His name very seriously. He wants to use us in His service. Don’t get caught up in who sees you serve. But rather get all excited about Who it is that you have the privilege of serving!

​These two statements help focus my mind on HOW I am sowing and WHO I am serving. How is your sowing and serving today? Maybe, like me, you get off track at times sowing in this life without thinking about the eternal consequences or maybe you get discouraged in serving others with no recognition. My friend, may I encourage you today that our God sees it all because nothing is hid from Him. He will make all things right. Let the words of this song by Joe Zichterman encourage and edify your heart today.

"He will not soon forget your work of faith;
And labor of love that’s done for His sake.
A cold cup of water that’s giv’n in His name,
One day from the housetop the Lord will proclaim.
Many slothful shall stand ashamed that day
When all of their talents are taken away.
But, oh, what rejoicing the righteous shall know,
When Christ shall return their reward to bestow.
Tho’ you serve in the shadows, be faithful still,
Your steadfast devotion to follow His will
Shall not be forgotten, it’s all written down;
And one day your cross He’ll replace with a crown.
Things done in secret shall be made known.
When with the saints we will bow at His throne.
The books shall be opened, your name He will call.
And things done in secret shall be made known to all."

“Things Done in Secret”
​Joe Zichterman
© 1993 by THE WILDS

What kind of seeds are you sowing today for an eternal harvest?