Question from a reader:

On page 341 of If God Is Good (regarding Galatians 6:7) you say: “A man reaps what he sows. What goes around comes around means the same thing.” But I think verse 7 is often lifted out of context and applied to reaping in this life. But verse 8 shows that Paul is not saying “What goes around comes around”, but is referring to the eternal harvest we reap: “He that soweth to the flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the spirit shall reap life ever-lasting.”
     I believe “what goes around comes around” refers to things in this life, but this passage speaks of the eternal harvest we reap.

Answer from Randy Alcorn:

I’m simply pointing out what the secular-slogan and the biblical verse have in common—the recognition that there are consequences for every choice, whether good or bad. The secular slogan limits it to this life, the biblical one extends it to eternal life. The latter is absolutely true, the former is largely true. They both encourage us to realize choices bring consequences. I certainly wasn’t saying that Galatians 6:7 is restricted to this life, on the contrary it extends to eternal life. Not just because of verse 8 but because of the entire teaching of the New Testament advocating an eternal perspective.