Sermon Central
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Lingering In Sin
Contributed by Wilson Oshorakpor on Sep 14, 2020 (message contributor)
Summary: To linger is to continue to stay somewhere, look at or deal with something a little longer than is diserable, especially because you don't want to leave.
"And when the morning arose, then the angels hastened Lot, saying, Arise, take thy wife, and thy two daughters, which are here; lest thou be consumed in the iniquity of the city. And while he lingered, the men laid hold upon his hand, and upon the hand of his wife, and upon the hand of his two daughters; the LORD being merciful unto him: and they brought him forth, and set him without the city." (Genesis 19:15-16).
God was determined to destroy Sodom and Gomorrha because the cup of their sin was full and overflowing. Both young and old were lost in sin and consumed by lust beyond redemption. "They shouted to Lot, “Where are the men who came to spend the night with you? Bring them out to us so we can have sex with them!” (Genesis 19:5 NLT).
The men and youths of an entire city craving with desperation to rape two men. But God made special arrangement to deliver righteous Lot and his family from disaster. In the midst of disaster, God always make special provision to deliver his children. The world today is enveloped in sin and lust, a lot of people don't care about righteousness or holy living.
Lot tried to save his sons in law, but they mocked him and thought he was joking (Genesis 19:14). The same happens today, when you tell people about the imminent second coming of Jesus and the end of the world as we know it. (Jude 1:18). The angels of God hastened Lot and his family to leave Sodom, but they LINGERED. They were unwilling to leave. They lingered because of the cucumber and onoins - the material possessions and pleasures of life they are loathe to lose - like the children of Israel. Numbers 11:5 says: "We remember the fish, which we did eat in Egypt freely; the cucumbers, and the melons, and the leeks, and the onions, and the garlick." They were ready to abandon the journey to the promised land and return to Egypt. Material possessions, pleasures of life, desires of the flesh and pride make many to linger in sin. But the mercy of God prevailed even as Lot and his family lingered. The angels dragged them out of Sodom and saved their lives. The mercy of God always prevails over judgement for those who live righteously and abide by his will.
The danger of lingering in sin is destruction. Lot's sons in law died in Sodom. David lingered on his rooftop lusting after Bathsheba. This led him to commit adultery and murder. David was saved by the mercy of God but the sword never left his home as a punishment. Ananias and Saphirra were not so lucky. They had no time to repent. They died instantly. Joseph refused to linger in the room with Potiphar's wife; he fled. God is looking for those to save and the call to repentance is an urgent one. Please, escape for your life. Do not linger in sin because of cucumber and onoins. Run for your life.
God bless you. Shalom.
