The more we are drawn by the attractions, pleasures and success of the world the more we may fail to recognize and resist the signs of corruption and sins of the world. When we get caught in the rat race for success in life we become blind to the depravity and sin that surround us. We may reach a stage when we may not even be aware that we are living in conformity to the sin and corruption of the world. This morning our thought for reflection is “Our God wants us to live in this world but warns us not to become people of the world”.
“The two angels arrived at Sodom in the evening, and Lot was sitting in the gateway of the city. When he saw them, he got up to meet them and bowed down with his face to the ground”
(Genesis 19:1).
In spite of being the nephew of Abraham, who was a“Friend of God”, Lot failed to take the worldliness and sin of Sodom seriously. His desire to be financially successful in life, blinded him of the moral depravity of Sodom. It was a city without God and without any moral values. In Genesis 18 God announced to Abraham of his plan to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah. Thus God’s judgement was at the gate of Sodom and Gomorrah and it was just a matter of time that the two cities were going to be destroyed. But the Bible, “Lot was sitting in the gateway of the city”.
1. Lot not only became a citizen of Sodom but rose to become a man of importance there
We are not sure why Lot was sitting in the gateway of the city. Probably he was sitting there as one of the key men of the city council, observing the administration of justice. In his desire and attempt to become rich and successful, Lot had compromised his values and settled well in Sodom. Judgement and destruction was at the door steps of Sodom but Lot was not at all aware of the seriousness of the situation. Are we being tempted to compromise our Christian character and values for the sake of success in life?
2. Lot stooped down to level of sacrificing his daughters when he was under pressure.
The description of the mob that surrounded the house of Lot, demanding him to hand over the two strangers is really frightening. We are told in Genesis 19:4 that both young and old of the city had surrounded Lot’s house.
“They called to Lot, “Where are the men who came to you tonight? Bring them out to us so that we can have sex with them”
(Genesis 19:5).
That reveals the moral depravity and sinfulness of the inhabitants of Sodom. What is shocking is the way Lot responded to the demand of the mob. When the men threatened Lot, he said,
“Look, I have two daughters who have never slept with a man. Let me bring them out to you, and you can do what you like with them”
(Genesis 19:8).
How do we respond when we are under pressure? How do we handle temptations?
The story of Lot is definitely a solemn warning to us to avoid the temptation of developing a close relationship with the sinful world, compromising with its value system and6 adopting its immoral lifestyle. Did not Jesus say that we are not of the world?
“If you were of the world, the world would love its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, because of this the world hates you”.
(John 15:19)
Apostle John reminds us this morning,
“Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him”
(1 John 2:15).
Blessed day!