Abram and Lot Part 2
Last week we saw Abram and Lot part ways for their possessions were so great that the land could not sustain them to enable them to remain together. There is strife between the herdsmen of the two parties and Abram plays peace maker and says to Lot that he can go to the left and Abram will go to the right, or vice versa. We see that the one who walks by faith and lives by faith in the Lord will always seek after that which makes for peace. So, Lot settled in the cities of the valley, and moved his tents as far as Sodom, and Abram settled in the land of Canaan. (Gen.13:6-12)
Verse 13 states that the men of Sodom were wicked exceedingly and sinners against the Lord. We know from Paul's words in 1Cor.15:33, "that bad company corrupts good morals." We can ask the question of Lot, "Is grass for his sheep worth more than fellowship with the Lord and a good conscience?" Lot should have thought of such things. Having the Spirit of God within, we can surely obey Paul's command in Gal.5:16,"Walk by the Spirit and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh." Commentator Alexander MacLaren states, "But if our religion does not make us put the world beneath our feet, and count all things but loss that we may win Christ, we had better ask ourselves whether our religion is any better than Lot's, which was second hand."
We must remember the likes of Lot and Demas, Demas also who in 1 Tim.4:10, Paul states, "Demas having loved this present world, has deserted me and gone to Thessalonica." We must keep the world from tightening its grip on our lives, but must have a faith strong and unwavering and be in constant communion with the Lord, that He would keep us on a safe and straight and narrow path in being obedient to God. Alexander MacLaren states, "The first false step leads on to connections unforeseen, from which the man would have shrunk in horror, if he had been told he would take them." The great truth that the best and surest way to lose the world as well as our own souls is to make it our first and highest object. In Gen.19:24, we see Lot barely escapes with his life, through the raining down of fire and brimstone, as being saved but as through fire.
Three points I can share to help us along, 1) Do not look for a place primarily for its material advantages, remember Phil.4:19. 2) Do not think that you cannot become like them, even though you live among them. Can you serve God as well down there as you can up here, remember 1 Cor.15:33. Remember the good soil that the seed took root in, (Math.13:8) that you do not let the thorns choke out the growth by "The worries of the world and deceitfulness of wealth"(Math.13:22). But walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, pleasing Him in every respect, bearing fruit in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God!
Elder Randy Slak
10/25/2022
Verse 13 states that the men of Sodom were wicked exceedingly and sinners against the Lord. We know from Paul's words in 1Cor.15:33, "that bad company corrupts good morals." We can ask the question of Lot, "Is grass for his sheep worth more than fellowship with the Lord and a good conscience?" Lot should have thought of such things. Having the Spirit of God within, we can surely obey Paul's command in Gal.5:16,"Walk by the Spirit and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh." Commentator Alexander MacLaren states, "But if our religion does not make us put the world beneath our feet, and count all things but loss that we may win Christ, we had better ask ourselves whether our religion is any better than Lot's, which was second hand."
We must remember the likes of Lot and Demas, Demas also who in 1 Tim.4:10, Paul states, "Demas having loved this present world, has deserted me and gone to Thessalonica." We must keep the world from tightening its grip on our lives, but must have a faith strong and unwavering and be in constant communion with the Lord, that He would keep us on a safe and straight and narrow path in being obedient to God. Alexander MacLaren states, "The first false step leads on to connections unforeseen, from which the man would have shrunk in horror, if he had been told he would take them." The great truth that the best and surest way to lose the world as well as our own souls is to make it our first and highest object. In Gen.19:24, we see Lot barely escapes with his life, through the raining down of fire and brimstone, as being saved but as through fire.
Three points I can share to help us along, 1) Do not look for a place primarily for its material advantages, remember Phil.4:19. 2) Do not think that you cannot become like them, even though you live among them. Can you serve God as well down there as you can up here, remember 1 Cor.15:33. Remember the good soil that the seed took root in, (Math.13:8) that you do not let the thorns choke out the growth by "The worries of the world and deceitfulness of wealth"(Math.13:22). But walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, pleasing Him in every respect, bearing fruit in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God!
Elder Randy Slak
10/25/2022