Lot – Part 2 – A Lot Of Trouble For God – For Abraham – And For Himself – Genesis 13 – 14 - Lot In Sodom Series

LOT – PART 2 – A LOT OF TROUBLE FOR GOD – FOR ABRAHAM – AND FOR HIMSELF – GENESIS 13 – 14 - LOT IN SODOM

INTRODUCTION

We take up this account from where we left off last time. Because of the strife between the herdsmen of Lot and Abram they had to separate. Abram and Lot had separated with Lot going to the place of his choice, the place that held a sinful attraction for him. He moved his tent right up to Sodom. {{Genesis 13:11 so Lot chose for himself all the valley of the Jordan, and Lot journeyed eastward. Thus they separated from each other.”}}

SEPARATION AND FAILURE

Look at the end of verse 11 – “Thus they SEPARATED from each other.” There is tragedy here because a failing man separated from the rock of strength who was Abram. When we separate ourselves from those of spiritual strength we are on shaky ground. We choose our own devices, our own paths, and often that leads to a place like Sodom – a place of godlessness. How many Christians, young ones in particular, have separated themselves from supportive Christians only to end in ruin on the jagged rocks of the world’s hurt and shame. It all comes back to a word the bible uses over and over and that is TRUST. Trust in the Lord must not falter or we follow Lot into ruin.

I want to add the thoughts from a small article called “The Road to Failure” by David R. Reid:

[[[“High school and college students fail for a number of reasons, but one thing is common to all cases. Failure does not happen instantaneously; it is always a process. This is true of failure in the Christian life as well. Growing Christians don't suddenly "tube it". There is always the step-by-step trip on the road to failure.

The story of Lot in Genesis is the sad case of a believer who failed. Lot was definitely a believer. In 2 Peter 2:7-8 Lot is mentioned three times as "righteous". But "righteous" Lot failed to use his life for God. He travelled the road to failure. It is possible for any Christian to do the same. A Christian may either build a life that counts for God or make a shambles of his life as far as eternal values are concerned (see 1 Corinthians 3:11-15). How tragic and shameful it will be for a Christian to stand before the Lord and give account for an empty and wasted life (see 2 Corinthians 5:10). Although this kind of failure does not determine a heaven or hell destiny for the true Christian, there are a number of warning passages in Scripture, which should cause the disobedient believer to question seriously his commitment and make sure of his salvation. (See John 15:4-6 and Colossians 1:23, for example.) Let us, as growing Christians, make every effort to avoid the road to failure.”]]]

SEPARATION –

That is one of the most lamentable words in our language. After many married years a couple has separated with all the implied guilt and hurt and blame. A teenager has separated from his/her home because of drugs, or a wayward lifestyle. Two friends of many close years have separated because of a particular conflict, even a small one but the walls of separation are strong and indestructible in so many cases.

Satan is the father of separation. His original sin separated him from the heavenly Father and from that point his mission was separation. He caused separation of our fore-parents from God; the separation of Adam and Eve with broken harmony; the separation of brothers with the death of Abel; and a book could be filled with examples. His work of separation results in such misery and hate throughout the human race.

However Jesus came for the work of repairing that brokenness. It is called reconciliation and the great work of the cross was to bring man and God together again. There is nothing more wonderful than to be brought together through forgiveness and hope, with a union that will never ever be broken. {{2Corinthians 5:18-20 “Now all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ, and gave us the ministry of reconciliation, namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and He has committed to us the word of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were entreating through us. We beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.”}}

What does reconciliation do? It brings enemies together. Paul realised that in his work of preaching the gospel, but initially he experienced it in his own life as one estranged from God while persecuting Christians and having them put to death. {{Romans 5:10-11 “If while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. Rom 5:11 Not only this, but we also exult in God through our Lord Jesus Christ through whom we have now received the reconciliation.”}}