September 17, 2006

Hangin' On To Sin
Gen. 19 16-26

There is the story of a man who came down out of the mountains of North Carolina . He was all dressed up and carrying his Bible. A friend saw Him and asked, “Elias what’s happening? where are you going all dressed up like that?”

Elias responded “I’ve been hearing about that New Orleans. I hear there's a lot of free running liquor and a lot of gambling and a lot of real good naughty shows.”

The friend looked at him and said,“ But Elias, why are you carrying your bible?” “Well,..Well; Zekiel,, If its as good as I hear, If its as good as they say, I might stay over Sunday. Funny Story? Maybe but if you are the Elias, if you have the same view of your faith as he had, then you better not think its funny. I believe that we have a generation who think they are OK and are really headed down a broad road.

We are the sort of people who say “I want Jesus to come, but not until I get married, not until I make money, not until I have a chance to be on my own etc. “

I want to note some things about Lot and some things about God here that will help us to see ourselves better and hopefully to change by Gods grace into lovers of the Lord, rather than lovers of our own selves.

First Note that when Lot knew about the wages of sin “He lingered” Lot was a saint of God. God calls Him “JUST” in Hebrews 11. I believe that many of today's saints become inured to sin, enamored of sin, and engulfed by sin and instead of turning lose from it, we hang on to it, linger Just a bit more.

Now immediately our minds run to those among us who sin in ways that we don't. But I want each one of us to put ourselves in Lots shoes today and let’s examine OURSELVES that each one may give an accounting of our own selves.

Lot was clearly not involved in the horrible sin of Sodom . As we see he's rescued as righteous and the Bible tells us that “abusers of themselves with mankind will not be delivered without repentance” Lot was involved in His own sins however and his ties to that city were strong. I do not know exactly what they were, but lets speculate...can we?

Suppose Lot was a man pleaser. He liked to be liked more than he liked to please God.

You recall, I know, that God is the standard of holiness and not those neighbors.

Or suppose that old Lot was one of those who had clout in Sodom. Maybe He was an elder and sat in the gate where his opinion mattered? Maybe he liked being looked up to and having his opinions matter to people, I sort of like that, and if you are honest so do you. Its nice being “one of the guys.”

You are an emissary of the King of Kings and so am I, and if we confine our chatter to the worlds arena and do not warn them about coming doom we are like Lot, so maybe Lot lingered because of that.

Or maybe Lot lingered because he liked to fantasize about some of the delights available, Oh he’d not SIN like the sodomites, but He could daydream about some of that?

I do not know why Lot dragged His feet, maybe he didn't want to lose his house and stuff.

What is it about sin that makes YOU linger? Are you one who likes to fly as close to the flame as you can and try HARD not to get burned? Do you like to “push the envelope?” as they say, and see just what God will allow before he whacks you?

For instance do you harbor ill will inside and know its wrong but you won't let go because it makes you feel superior? See, I know about that. Sadly enough. Or maybe you Scheme about how to make others “get theirs?” without making yourself look bad? I know about that and it costs me many trips to the foot of the cross.

Not only did Lot LINGER in his sin but note secondly Lot had to be FORCED out of it.

The angels were finally forced to GRAB LOT and his family and compel them through the gate.

I often wonder what sort of event or pain it is going to take to get US to leave our pet sin?

HE WAS not affected by the destruction of Sodom ; he wanted to continue in the area; in a smaller place but with similar comforts.

You see what God has said to Lot here right? ESCAPE TO THE MOUNTAINS, but Lot argues...Ohh (wheedling) Lord...Lord don't make me. HE wanted to be rescued, but on his own terms. He wanted to go part way with God not all the way to freedom.

Listen! Jesus came to make you Every bit whole He says not only resist the devil but draw near to God. Get rid of all that would make a distance between you and God.

Jesus Christ will give you His righteousness in a very real way. He will draw you out of sins slime, rescue you from your Sodom; But asks this of you, Run home, run to HIM. No petty promises to do better, no turning over a new leaf, no resolves to be a better person. You cannot be a good enough person to enter heaven by yourself. He says “call unto me and I will answer thee and show you great and mighty things which you don't know.”

He says “If you receive me, I will enter in and sup with you and have fellowship with you.”

Nearly 2000 years ago God came down for judgment on our sin. And on a cruel cross Jesus Christ accepted all the sin debt of the world, took all the blame. He had lived a sinless life so no sin was his, all of it was mine and yours. And on that sinful sight God poured out all the wrath of heaven against sin. And if you having been drawn by the spirit of God, receive it, accept Jesus sacrifice as the only way to heaven, ask God for forgiveness on that basis then you gain eternal life. Forgiveness of all sins past present and future (Heb 10:14 ), and you don't have to feel guilty any more.

Lot wanted to be his own boss, and run to a lesser refuge. Listen, if you run to a lesser refuge you will not survive

I love you people. I do not do this job because of the money, though I feel well compensated. I love you and care about your spiritual well being. And if this place burns I will do all I can to get you out, as soon as I have made sure my wife is safe. That is what God does. While we were yet sinners Christ died for us says Romans 5 :8 but he goes on to say “How much MORE will we be saved from wrath now that we are His own.“ He did all he could to assure our safe escape and if we submit to Him He will do even more to keep us.

Grace is better than you think.

You live in an age when the truth of the word has been watered down.

Neo-orthodoxy taught falsely that this is Gods word only as it speaks to my heart.

It is Gods word. Period. It is revealed propositional truth. It is a sure and safe haven for us and offers man unkind a great hope. The hope of rescue from destruction and the hope of a new life both here on earth and then for eternity.

Will you listen to the inner call of God? Will today be the day of your salvation?

Christian, Are you lingering around sin? Are you playing a Lot game? Trying to walk with one foot in the world and one foot in heaven?

Today can be your day of freedom. Today can be your day of blessed surrender. Will you submit to Jesus care today and do as he asks and come home?