With all of the chitchat going on about gay rights and such, I thought it would be nice if we could have a little discussion about a guy who lived years ago, surrounded by an extremely wicked culture.
I’m referring to Lot; Abraham’s nephew.
Through the years Lot has taken a lot of abuse from preachers and laymen alike.
“Lot is the perfect example of compromise”, some will say.
“Lot didn’t deserve to be delivered from the Lord’s judgment”, others will say, using their best, righteous sounding voice.
I ask you, “Who DOES deserve God’s deliverance?”
No one.
And while I’m at it, please understand Sodom and Gomorrah weren’t destroyed because they advocated, endorsed, entertained, or even practiced homosexuality.
That’s not what the bible says.
“…Just as Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding cities, which likewise indulged in sexual immorality and pursued unnatural desire…” (Jude 1:7 ESV)
Homosexuality was only PART of the issue.
“Sexual immorality and unnatural desire” included the “gay” lifestyle along with other sexual perversions – bestiality, anal sex, group sex, sex with children, and other things I’ve never heard of or wouldn’t want to mention.
Extreme wickedness.
But let’s get back to Lot.
Before Lot moved to the luscious and fertile plains, he lived at least 15 years with his uncle Abraham. 15 years living with one of God’s best friends. I believe at least some of Abraham’s faith rubbed off on young Lot.
“But he compromised his faith by moving to a wicked community”, you may say.
Isn’t that what they said about Jesus?
It’s definitely what the Pharisees said.
Please allow me to play the “what if card”. Could it be Lot had noble intentions by moving to Sodom? Like a missionary moving to a certain city to bring hope and the Kingdom of God to the city; that COULD have been Lot’s intent.
In fact, Lot COULD have been given a specific, God ordained mission. Remember, the Lord is not willing that anyone perish. He wants ALL to come to the knowledge of truth and repentance.
God sends people like you and I, people like Jonah, and people such as Lot into places of trouble and wickedness.
So, if Lot had a God given reason for living in such a rotten area, why didn’t he get the city turned around?
Thinking about Lot, myself, and my Lord, I’ve come to the following conclusions; which I refer to as The Lot Affect.
1. Whether it is Moses, Jonah, Lot, or Jesus Himself, the mission is to be a witness. No one can make people believe and change; not even the Lord.
2. Standing against opposition is never easy. By opposition, I mean people disagreeing with you, arguing and demeaning you; to where you begin to feel like an idiot. You either want to give up, get mad and get even, or a little of both.
3. Your stand for righteousness can be worn down by the extremely wicked society. But keep your mind fixed on Jesus, His love and power, and your mission.
Notice: “and if he rescued righteous Lot, greatly distressed by the sensual conduct of the wicked (for as that righteous man lived among them day after day, he was tormenting his righteous soul over their lawless deeds that he saw and heard); then the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trials, and to keep the unrighteous under punishment until the day of judgment.” (2 Peter 2:7-9 ESV)
4. If we stand for truth, we will be delivered from wickedness.
5. Righteousness is rewarded. So is unrighteousness.
Just different rewards, that’s all.
6. When the wicked citizens of Sodom and Gomorrah watched Lot and his family get in their car and leave town, I’m sure they rejoiced!
Remember how they said to Lot, “This fellow came to sojourn, and he has become the judge“? (Genesis 19:9 ESV)
7. Don’t expect to see eye to eye with people who don’t have the same convictions. Expect them to be intolerant and belittling.
And although your soul is vexed, and the crowd continues to eat, drink, and party…
…it’s nothing new.
“Likewise, just as it was in the days of Lot – they were eating and drinking, buying and selling, planting and building, but on the day when Lot went out from Sodom, fire and sulfur rained from heaven and destroyed them all – so will it be on the day when the Son of Man is revealed.” (Luke 17:28-30)
When the Son is revealed, and He will be, nothing else will matter.
In the meantime, remember The Lot Affect.
Jan Grace 