We live in a world that deals in compromise. Compromise in itself is not evil. We all make compromises at some point, whether it be on the negotiated purchase price of a home or car, or giving up a Saturday afternoon of reading in order to stain a deck (that's mine, by the way). There are, however, compromises that are sinful and lead to sin. In our passage this week, we see the final outworking of Lot's compromise with the wicked city of Sodom.
Although Lot was considered righteous (2 Peter 2:7-8), he was 'in the world' and 'of the world.' He was a man of authority in the city, and may have been involved in some aspect of the city's government. He also refers to the men of the city as 'brothers'. He had compromised by living with the wicked inhabitants of Sodom, and we know from 2 Peter that what he saw tormented his soul.
What a study in contrast between these two righteous men! Lot sits in the gate of Sodom with the wicked, as Abraham stands in the presence of God. To be sure, both Abraham and Lot are far from perfect, but note at least one difference. As Abraham intercedes for the righteous in Sodom (i.e., Lot), read again what Lot did after having been told by the angels that he and his family needed to flee for their very lives from the impending destruction of Sodom: He lingered. (v. 16) God's messengers had to drag Lot and his family from the coming doom. And our text says that this was due to God's mercy.
Do we linger in our own 'Sodom'?
How can we remain friends with the world when God has befriended us in Christ?
Do we realize that our being transferred from death to life by our union with Christ requires a response of gratitude and obedience?
Praise God for his mercy in dragging us away from situations that we linger in when we should flee! Even so, as we see with Lot, there are still consequences for our having remained where we should not, and for not having ran away when we should. But our Covenant God is faithful, and he will never leave us or forsake us. Romans 8:39 says that nothing in all creation (including our own ignorance, foolishness, and sin) will separate those of us who are in Christ from the love of God. That is a great comfort, and one that should drive us headlong into a life of praise, gratitude, and obedience to Almighty God, who has set his love upon us in Christ Jesus.
2 comments:
Thanks! Well done!
This is excellent. The questions you pose are the ones that we must ask ourselves. The well-water plain beckoned to Lot as the material wonders of our day beckon to us. Like Abraham we must be attracted to the City of God instead of the beauty of something appearing to be the Garden of God. Thanks again!
Post a Comment