Lot was a saved man (II Peter 2:7-8), and yet he fell into the most miserable sin. How did this happen? And how can we keep this from happening to us? Lot’s story gives us the answer.
Be Plugged in to Abraham not Sodom – The Right Friendships
Lot was friends with the man who was “the friend of God.” When his uncle Abraham took great steps of faith, Lot did as well. “He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed.” (Proverbs 13:20). We make the best decisions the fastest when we surround ourselves with people that are on fire for God. Some of the dynamic friendships of the Bible include the following: Joshua and Caleb, Jonathan and David, Elisha and Elijah, Timothy and Paul, and Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego and Daniel. These great men had an example to follow, someone to provoke them to good works, and personal accountability. You should ask yourself the following question regarding friendship, “Who is my Abraham(s)?”
“You are or soon will be who your friends are!” – unknown
Be Plugged in to a Personal Walk not Just in to Abraham’s Walk – The Right Devotions
Abraham was “a friend of God” (James 2:23) because he fit the criteria for being God’s friend: “Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.” (John 15:14)
As was true for Lot, being a friend of a friend of God is not enough. Lot was not producing his own spirituality but rather using Abraham’s. Lot was a parasite Christian! He did great on the Christian campus, with the Christian Parent, and with the Christian peer group; but when forced to be away from his spiritual mentor, he couldn’t make it.
Genesis 13:9 “Is not the whole land before thee? separate thyself, I pray thee, from me:”
Life separates us. There comes a time when children leave the nest, jobs displace us, Bible college students leave their campuses, friends die, spouses die, or godly parents… Life separates! We are to be thankful for godly parents, friends, or loved ones that have great faith, but that alone will not cut it for us — we must also be “a friend of God.”
Separation will prove whether or not we have a personal walk with God. Lot knew how to emulate the behavior of Abraham but did not learn the relationship behind the behavior.
Joseph while separated from his parents in Egypt couldn’t “commit this wickedness and sin against God.” (Genesis 39:9)
Daniel, when separated to Babylon, wouldn’t eat the kings meat because “he purposed in his heart” (Dan. 1:8)
Jeremiah wouldn’t stop preaching to a backslidden nation because to him God’s Word was “like fire” (Jer. 20:9)
When separated and tested, what gave these men their resolve?” They were personally plugged in to the source!