"Up! Get out of this place"

“Then the men said to Lot, “Have you anyone else here? Sons-in-law, sons, daughters, or anyone you have in the city, bring them out of the place. For we are about to destroy this place, because the outcry against its people has become great before the Lord, and the Lord has sent us to destroy it.” So Lot went out and said to his sons-in-law, who were to marry his daughters, “Up! Get out of this place, for the Lord is about to destroy the city.” But he seemed to his sons-in-law to be jesting.”

 “As morning dawned, the angels urged Lot, saying, ‘Up! Take your wife and your two daughters who are here, lest you be swept away in the punishment of the city.’” (Genesis 19:12-15 ESV)

If you have read your Bible, you have most certainly read Genesis 19. It is associated with the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah due to sexual sin and evil. However, we often miss what is critical in this passage.

This passage brilliantly illuminates God’s wrath. Clearly, the point is made regarding sexual sin. What we miss is God's grace and mercy. The common focus is God’s wrath, but let us look at God’s mercy. Lot had moved away from his Uncle Abraham. Both blessed by God, their flock of sheep had grown, so Lot went to find fields for his own growing flocks so as not to compete with Abraham for grazing fields.

Lot settled outside of Sodom, a decision that almost cost him his life. Over time, Lot grew indifferent to the sin and evil occurring in Sodom, much like many have become normalized to the sin occurring around us every day. Lot had conformed so much to the society in Sodom that he became an elder of the city, sitting at its gates as was common at this time.

God had sent two angels who appeared as men to destroy Sodom because of its sin and rebellion against God. The angels had planned on staying in the town square to rest, but Lot, knowing the sinful nature of the city, pleaded with them to stay in his home. So, they went. Shortly thereafter, the angels would witness the sexual sin of Sodom.

All the men of Sodom, old and young, came to Lot's home with the intent to “know” these men. To know them meant sexually know them, homosexual gang rape. Lot begged these men to leave and not to be evil, even offering his virgin daughters to dissuade the men. It did not work. The angels blinded the men who, so driven by sinful lust, wore themselves out trying to find the door to Lot’s home.

Amidst this sin and evil, God showed Lot and his family mercy. The angels led Lot and those in his family who fled. The angels did this despite Lot’s apprehension about fleeing Sodom. After warning them not to look back, Lot’s wife looked back, not to watch the destruction, but in the reluctance to leave her home, the city she lived in. It was the mercy of God that saved Lot and his family.

Today, we see evil all around us. What is righteous has been made evil by society. Society's debased minds have moved further and further from the truth of the gospel. Revelation tells us of Jesus's second coming. For those who are in Christ, it will not be angels who pull us from destruction, but Christ himself. Many will be left behind, but unlike Sodom and Gomorrah, God will continue to maintain his mercy, saving some during the tribulation. Those like the people of Sodom, consumed by evil, will perish; those who look back longingly like Lot’s wife will also see destruction. The lust of Sodom exists today. No matter what the nature, every act of sin comes from within us. The more we sin, the more our saved life will be attacked by the enemy. Satan exploits our weaknesses. This is why Paul wrote, “Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.”(Colossians 3:2) 

No matter what our sins, we must look to the Lord. While the tempter challenges us, God will use these challenges to mold and shape us further for His service. The power of Christ is not only to forgive sin; the gospel power will break sin forever. Not only should we pray for strength against our temptations, but we should also pray that God will reveal the purpose of those temptations He will use to temper and sanctify us further.

We cannot hide our sins from God; we are expected to repent of our sins to God, praying for reconciliation. Our battle with sin is not a daily chore but a never-ending spiritual war. It is a war that Christ has already won; we must simply believe. Our faith in Christ, our trust in His mercy, and our assurances of salvation win over sin every single time. No soldier has ever won a battle alone; even David defeated Goliath because he had placed his faith in God.

Where is your faith? Are you trying to battle the demonic world on your own? You will lose every time. Righteousness and sanctification can only come to those who place their faith in Christ Jesus as their Savior. Are you tired of fighting alone? Call out to the King of kings and the Lord of lords, Christ Jesus, only He can save you from sin and death.

Grace and Peace!