All Rights Reserved, An Encouragement to be Valiant in a Time of Persecution and Martyrdom, If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, Rethinking Regeneration (5-Part MP3 Series). You have seen the history of Lot's wife — her privileges, her sin and her end. It is impossible that she could have dwelt in tents with them for any length of time, without knowing whose they were, and whom they served. Luke 17:32-36 Remember Lot’s wife. 15 Now z the tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to hear him. Once let the old doctrine about Hell be overthrown, and the whole system of Christianity is unsettled, unscrewed, unpinned and thrown into disorder! The Lord Jesus Christ says to us, "Remember Lot's wife. I implore you not to drown convictions by childish imaginations about God's love, while your daily ways and habits show plainly that "the love of the Father is not in you." We saw the pillars of salt. But there is always some darling evil habit which they cannot tear from their heart. In the early years of their married life, they seem to follow Christ diligently and to witness a good confession. .the religious privileges Lot's wife enjoyed,the particular sin she committed, andthe judgment which God inflicted upon her. It will be just like this on the day the Son of Man is revealed. “Take heed to yourselves. It was a hopeless end. But, oh, take heed that you do not remain barren and unfruitful in the sunshine of all these privileges; beware lest your heart remains hard, impenitent and worldly, notwithstanding the many advantages you enjoy. ", c. Are you halting between two opinions and disposed to go back to the world? Talk to them, and you will find no response about spiritual things. The religious people and the upright citizens didn’t want to have anything to do with either, but Jesus loves both and shows compassion toward both. Let me address the reader particularly here, so I may impress a few salient questions upon your conscience. There will be two women grinding at the same place; one will be taken and the other will be left. The same Greek word which is used in the expression "everlasting punishment" is the word that is used by the Lord Jesus in the expression "life eternal," and by Paul, in the expression "everlasting God" (Matthew 25:46; Romans 16:26). Jesus cites this story in Luke 17, as He describes a future event: “It was the same in the days of Lot. May we never forget that privileges alone cannot save us. by Scott Christensen. The King James Bible (1611) and Strong's Concordance (1890) with Hebrew and Greek dictionaries are sourced from the BibleForgeDB database (https://github.com/bibleforge) within the BibleForge project (http://bibleforge.com). Are Christian Ethics Merely Reflections of the Primitive Beliefs of the Ancient Greco-Roman World? They tell us, like Lot's wife . 21:32). We often point to the shortest verse in the Bible, two words that we … If your brother sins against you, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him. The "love of other things" has taken possession of their hearts and choked the good seed of the Word. The moral attributes of God, His justice, His holiness, His purity — are all involved in it. When we cannot see the reason of God's dealings — our duty is to hold our peace and believe. You will have to leave this world and to stand before a holy God. Let us use them thankfully if God grants them to us — but let us take care that they produce some fruit in our heart and life. If you are such a one, I say to you this day, "Take care: remember Lot's wife. But it does not stand alone. They keep up habits of private prayer;they read their Bibles diligently;they visit the poor, when they have opportunity;they teach in Sunday schools, when there is an opening;they minister to the temporal and spiritual needs of the poor;they like religious friends;they love to talk on religious subjects;they write letters full of religious expressions and religious experience. But here in Luke, achreios also may incorporate the meaning of “unworthy,” as in the Septuagint. Why, then, Heaven will be no Heaven at all! I believe you are referring to Luke 17:34-36. She did as others did around her in Lot's house; she conformed to her husband's ways; she made no opposition to his religion; she allowed herself to be passively towed along in his wake; but all this time her heart was wrong in the sight of God. Are the Poor and Minorities Really Better off under Progressive Policy? They know they are not what they ought to be — they are not yet born again and fit to die. Are you lukewarm, and cold in your Christianity? In the days of their childhood, they seem full of religion. 33 Whosoever shall seek to save his life shall lose it; and whosoever shall lose his life shall preserve it. This was no small privilege. (Complete Biblical Library Greek-English Dictionary) Morris explains that " Unworthy (achreioi) is a difficult word, but it seems to mean ‘not yielding gain’ … I believe He would have us observe that Lot's wife was lost by looking back to the world. I propose to examine the lessons which Lot's wife is meant to teach us. But, alas, how often they prove unstable as water and are ruined by the love of the world! I believe that the man who finds arguments for evading the evidence of the Bible on this question, has arrived at a state of mind in which reasoning is useless. I pray God that all professing Christians in these days may lay these things to heart. Such a ministry may be soothing and pleasant — but it is far more likely to lull you to sleep — than to lead you to Christ or build you up in the faith. If you have any religion at all — let your religion be real. You cannot put off your soul's concerns forever — a day will come when you must have a reckoning with God. And at last the man who at one time seemed likely to be a real successor of the apostles and a good soldier of Christ — settles down on his lees as a clerical gardener, farmer, or diner out, by whom nobody is offended and nobody is saved. They went down to the pit — in spite of knowledge, warnings and opportunities; and they all teach us that it is not privileges alone, that men need. ", It is a solemn warning, when we think of the person who gives it. Compared with millions of her fellow creatures in her time, Lot's wife was a favored woman. You may have spiritual advantages of every description; you may live in the full sunshine of the richest opportunities and means of grace; you may enjoy the best of preaching and the choicest instruction; you may dwell in the midst of light, knowledge, holiness and good company. It is sad to see how many a gallant ship launches forth on the voyage of life with every prospect of success and, springing this leak of worldliness — goes down with all her freight in full view of the harbor of safety! Happy are those who have them! I have often been told that "broad" views are needed in the present day. To dwell happily together, except they be agreed upon your conscience extent of my danger her life took. Flee from the wrath to come to Christ and to assert the reality and eternity of Hell pain! Whosoever shall lose it ; and if he repents, forgive him transgression lies in these words. Bread and wine, she was there a nipping frost cuts off the blossoms! 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