June 26
Scripture Reading: Genesis 19:30-38
Two perpetual enemies of the Children of Israel were the Ammonites and the Moabites. These two nations were the result of the unthinkable incestuous relationship between Lot and the two daughters he was ready to sacrifice to the wicked men of Sodom. (See Genesis 19:8) When reading the awful story of the man Lot, one might inquire, “Was he really a saved man? Was his soul really righteous?”
Just how far can a saved person descend into sin? Take a look at Lot and find the answer to that question. One of the greatest lessons the saved can learn from Lot is the extent to which a saved person can be given over to sin, and the devastating results that can have on their lives, and on the lives of all around them. Remember, Lot’s carnality cost him his entire family, and even cost him the unspeakable shame of the two daughters that survived the flames of Divine judgment that fell upon Sodom and Gomorrah. They escaped the fiery death that consumed the wicked, but they did not survive the wickedness.
When writing to Timothy, Paul charged him to “flee youthful lusts,” (2 Timothy 2:22) and Peter wrote, “abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul....” (1 Peter 2:11) In another place, Peter wrote, “Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own steadfastness.” (2 Peter 3:17) The story of Lot, his wife and his family should serve as a fearful warning to all of God’s children; a warning to hate sin and all that it stands for, and to cling to God and His Word. The Psalmist wrote, “Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed thereto according to thy word.” (Psalms 119:9)
Pastor Steve Smith