Before the Lord destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah Abraham’s nephew, Lot, was told to flee the city, but they were not to look back (Genesis 19:15-26 http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis%2019:15-26&version=NIV1984).
Why were they told not to look back? In Sodom they were badly influenced by the sin of the city. Due to the way they interacted with the people of the city, it appeared that these people rubbed off on them and they were gradually becoming like them. When the men of the city wanted the angels to partake in their sinful actions, Lot for instance told them: “No, my friends. Don’t do this wicked thing. 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,” (Verses 7-8). Can you imagine the degradation that was busy taking place in their lives?
Therefore the Lord wanted them to repent, to get out of that sinful situation forever and not look back to what they could have had. As Lot’s wife ran, she probably thought of the wonderful time she had in the city among the markets and with the women in her community. The fact that Lot sat at the city gate when the angels arrived shows that he was one of the important citizens of the city (verse one), so his wife probably also had status. She was, however, not aware of the gradual degradation of her righteousness as sin was destroying her holiness before God little by little. As she ran she just had to look back once, thinking of what could have been... and she turned into a pillar of salt.
Are we aware of the subtle devastating effect sin has on our relationship with the Lord. I’m not necessarily referring to sin such as stealing, swearing, pornography, gossip, etc. We may be involved in such sins and it will have an obvious effect on our holiness. But any disobedience is sin and a materialistic lifestyle that keeps us focused on self and hinders what God wants to do through us will have equal repercussions. When we are set to impress people, even if it is with our spiritual status within the church, we will find it hard to obey the Lord when He expects of us to do something that will affect our status and popularity and probably lead to persecution and rejection.
Take for example a man of high status in the church who contributes a lot to the church’s finances, but lives in sin. Does the pastor and elders confront his sin and if they do, what would the consequences be should he leave and take half the congregation with him? How would the church be financed? Can you see how careful we must be of the influence of the sinful nature on our relationship with the Lord and our obedience to Him?
In Genesis 19:30-38 http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis%2019:30-38&version=NIV1984 Lot’s daughters did an abominable act that was probably also because of the degradation of their holiness under the influence of sin. Lot started off with the righteous Abraham and must have been righteous as well to be of one kind. However, when Lot chose the best land for himself, it already was obvious that materialism had an influence on him, more that a desire to please God. His daughters ended up being pregnant with his children after effectively raping their father. The consequence of this was that their descendants, the Moabites and Ammonites, became the enemies of Abraham’s descendants Israel. Due to sin, what started off as a close family obedient to God who left Ur, ended in four nations in enmity – Moabites, Ammonites, Ishmaelites and Israel.
Are you feeling close to the Lord, living a life focused on doing what He daily expects of you, or have your life been taken over by all kinds of demands and responsibilities that gradually corrode your relationship with the Lord. These can include religion, for we can be very church oriented and not have a relationship with the Lord at all.
Lord, please protect my relationship with you. Show me how to return to you.
Thank you Lord that your Word went out from your mouth, via your servant’s pen, and it will not return to you empty, but will accomplish what you desire and achieve the purpose for which you sent it.
Please pass this on if you think others may benefit by it.
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