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| REMEMBER LOT'S WIFE by Cadi Nobles |
| The cites of Sodom and Gomorrah were well known in the ancient times. These metropolises were not only the centers of industry and commerce, but were also recognized as capitals of lurid sexual activities and other depraved behaviors. In fact, the sin and moral sickness became so concentrated in these areas that, there came a point where God simply decided to destroy every inhabitant at the same time. This would serve many purposes, not the least of which being a type of reminder for future generations. God's love and mercy are incredible and enduring, but there comes a point in time where you can indeed "go too far." You can sin past the point of grace, where the mercy of God will not flow. Willful and deliberate sinning will eventually bring to pass the sentence of death, both physical and spiritual. Sodom and Gomorrah were spiritually dead. In a determined frenzy of lust and desire, they moved themselves outside of the reaches of God's grace. Physical death would have to follow. Yet, even in the midst of utter destruction, God was careful to preserve any that still trusted in His protection. In the city of Sodom, God found Lot. Lot had come here by choice. He had much wealth and, no doubt, this area was very beneficial to his aspirations. Lot had made the very bad decision of being willing to put up with the filth to obtain what he desired. We read that two of Lot's daughters were virgins (Gen. 19:8) and the New Testament confirms that Lot was indeed a righteous man. So, we see the evidence that Lot himself had not become, or allowed his family to become, part of the sins of Sodom. Lot was saved from destruction by one of the most amazing miracles recorded in Scripture. Angels, in the form of men, entered the gates of Sodom and oversaw the salvation of Lot. Though God was saving Lot, there was no doubt great sadness as they began to run toward the mountains. Lot's married daughters had stayed in the city of sin. He was being saved, but his decision to live there in the first place had cost him dearly. As the rain of fire and brimstone began, he could hear cries of pain and pleadings for mercy. These voices might well belong to his daughters. As they fled the city, they were instructed, "escape for thy life; look not behind thee, neither stay thou in all the plain; escape to the mountain, lest thou be consumed." (Gen 19:17) Those these words of God were strong and commanding, the temptation to look back was simply too strong for Lot's wife. "But his wife looked back from behind him, and she became a pillar of salt" (Gen19:26). Lot's wife had went too far. She stepped past the point of grace. Oh, how easy it is for us to try God's mercy and push His love to an extreme! We become comfortable in our salvation and confident in our ability to obtain grace. Yet, the New Testament warns "Remember Lot's wife." (Luke 17:32) God's mercy will not cover willful and deliberate sinning. Jesus sacrificed His precious blood and died ONCE for all men. This in not a license to sin, it's an ability to see our situation and find grace. God does save those that have stumbled and redeems those that are fallen. But there can come a time when you step past that point of grace. "For if we sin willfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins" (Hebrews 10:26) Remember Lot's wife. |
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