DEAD MEN WALKING
Genesis 19
God was
pretty specific in what he was communicating to Lot. Sending two angels as
messengers, God wanted Lot out of town. There was not time to argue or debate
the merits of his work among the unbelievers. It was time to go. God wanted Lot
out of their lives and he wanted him gone now.
As is the
case with us humans, we don’t always want God in our lives. When it is
convenient and when we have a specific need, we will allow God in our affairs,
but only for a season. So it was with the inhabitants of Sodom and Gomorrah.
They did not need Lot in their lives nor his God. They felt perfectly content
in their disobedience and wickedness. In fact they had built an entire culture
around their perversion and self-centered living. Anything was acceptable, even
sexual relations between men or between women. One of the most grievous sins
had become an acceptable lifestyle among this people. God had had enough.
Before Lot
could leave, he wanted another shot at those wicked inhabitants. Lot was
reluctant to give up on them right when God wanted him to act. He was not
willing to change his thinking and give up on those God had determined were no
longer deserving of His common grace. There came a time when nothing more could
be done for those who had turned from God.
There comes
a time in our lives when those we have tried to witness to will have to live
with their rejection of Christ. God allows them a season for repentance but
like earthly season, they change. In God’s plan for them judgment is the next
season. Judgement will come when it is least expected.
Although we will stand
before the judgment seat of God, we are assured that Christ will be there to
show that the penalty due us has been paid by him. Such a great salvation will
not be available for the unbelieving. There opportunity will end at death. What
is left for them is to stand alone before God without Christ. They will walk
like dead men right into the trap they have set for themselves.
Prayer: With so little time in our lives to accomplish your will, allow us the
strength and wisdom to act on your behalf when the opportunities for witness
are given to us. Do not allow us to shrink for these times but to stand and
profess our faith and call the unbeliever to repentance in Christ.
