7 Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.
8 For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life. 9 And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. 10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.


What is Paul referring to in the above verses.

We can look at it on the broad scale of human interpersonal relationships. It is quite natural for a smile to reap a smile in return; a person who has many friends is usually a very friendly person. In marriage we hear accounts of marriages saved because one partner commits to really building up the other person. The way we treat others does have a significant effect on how others treat us. It can change the whole atmosphere when a happy, positive person enters a group!
Hopefully we can by that person within our church community, bringing a unity to work together for Christ.

But then we move to another scene. Paul writes to Timothy that " all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution."
Thus living a godly life, does not guarantee any painless existence in this world, in fact it can bring some rough times.

However, I was thinking of the verse in yet a different line.

Much of Paul's letter was on salvation through faith in Christ, not by law. Here he is bringing in a balance, saying, even though we are not saved by keeping the law, yet that law (which is based on love) is there for a reason. God put it there because He loves us.
To willingly live outside God's law, thinking it doesn't matter if we obey it or not, is in essence mocking God and his law.
Disobeying God's laws does have consequences-- sin has serious consequences.

For example, King David, did some pretty bad things, he confessed, repented in genuine repentance, and God forgave him, justified him and even called him a man after his own heart.
David was restored in a saving relationship with God, he received justification, yet he still reaped the consequences of his sin. There was, among other things, the loss of respect of his children, and even of his subjects. Life was different and not so pleasant after his fall.

Yes, grace is an undeserved gift to the believing Christian, yet don't mock God by thinking that the gift, which comes without the law, makes it OK to sin. Disregarding God's law has consequences -- a person does reap the results of their sins.
Those sins can leave terrible scars. Like nails pulled out of a board, even though the nails are gone, they leave holes, so sins, even though forgiven, leave scars.

But like David, who held fast his faith in God, and knew his transgressions were covered, moved forward continuing to serves and love God, we too can be assured that when we come to Christ, we are forgiven, and even when things don't go smooth for whatever reason, we continue in well doing, for in the end, through Christ working for us and in us, we will reap eternal life, if we keep our eyes fixed on Him.