Christian- or Sodomite?

written by Gary B. Dotson

This post is intended first and foremost for the adherents of Biblical Christianity, and those who think that by their church attendance they give God service.

"Now the two angels came to Sodom in the evening, and Lot was sitting in the gate of Sodom." Genesis 19:1a

     It's an integral part of the human make-up that drives us to seek as much comfort as possible, and frankly, there's nothing wrong with wanting to be comfortable. However, vice and complacency almost always come in when we desire comfort above personal integrity and moral responsibility as revealed by the Word and will of God. Jehovah is most certainly a good God and loves to shower His children with His blessings and grace. One must always be reminded that His generosity is not always shown in the manifestation of material commodities. Jehovah is spirit, and His absolutely pure perspective is eternal. His blessings, in their essence, are those that will gloriously outlast the frail, paltry confines of time and space and it is those treasures that are to be secured by Christian men and women for eternity. 

     Obviously, there's a catch. Jehovah is a God of holiness, a lover of righteousness and justice, best shown in the brutal suffering and death of the Lord Jesus Christ, God in Person. One cannot enjoy fully the blessings and comforts of God and hold to the comforts of the world as well. The Word of God is clear on this matter. It is crystal clear on this matter. Yet and still, we Christians allow ourselves to be led astray by our sinful nature over which we were given power to subjugate by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit of God (if, we've been born again, that is). 

     Consider the nephew of possibly the most notable of the patriarchs of the Christian faith, Abraham. Abraham had such a rock-solid faith in Jehovah that He saw fit to bless not only Abraham, but his seed, and the entire world, for that matter for it would be from the loins of Abraham that the Lamb of God, Jesus Christ would be born, who would take away the sin of the world.

Abraham had so many material blessings as a result of his greater spiritual blessings that he became a king of sorts, a chief of the region of Mesopotamia and later in the land of Canaan. Abraham had massive flocks of cattle, many servants and even had mighty men trained in the arts of war who had been born in his household for defensive purposes (whom he used to rescue his nephew Lot, who had been taken captive during a fairly serious conflict between the kings of the region).

     Now, consider Abraham's nephew Lot. Lot was also greatly blessed by the Lord because he was a member of Abraham's family. Lot and Abraham were so endowed that the day came when the household of Abraham and Lot could no longer coexist together. Imagine the headache of trying to keep order amongst the combined hundreds of family members and servants, thousands of cattle and various livestock and the strain the Bible says they placed on the resources of the region for their constant needs of food, water, and minerals. 

   

     Abraham and Lot loved each other and were loyal to one another, but the day came went the two households could not remain together so they mutually but amicably separated.

In Genesis 19:1, Lot finds himself not only in Sodom, the city he had chosen to reside in, but sitting in the gate of the city. That's significant because in those days the gate of those walled cities was often where those with political power and influence would be found, as those notable visitors and travelers would meet those others of influence for direction, and diplomatic and commercial interaction. Cities were walled, fortified, and tightly controlled in those days for protection. The gates of a city had to be watched and filled with people of power and standing. 

     I would imagine that the king and aristocracy of Sodom saw Lot as a most welcomed addition to the city. Remember, he was the nephew of one of the most powerful and wealthy men of the region and he, too, was fabulously wealthy. Lot entered Sodom and was automatically a member of the aristocracy.

Lot showed his status as a member of the elite of Sodom, and forgive my speculation, but I would think that the people and rulers may have also been in fear of Abraham as well treating Lot accordingly. With but three hundred and eighteen military-trained servants he freed Lot and all that was taken. The victory won by Abraham was so important in the region that the king of Sodom personally went out to meet Abraham. 

     Today, within the church and without, Sodom is known for it's exceedingly wicked sexual immorality and homosexuality, and I'm sure, horrific acts of pedophilia. We know Sodom today as the very definition of human depravity. Yet Lot, showered with the favor of Jehovah Most High, found himself quite comfortable with Sodom and her amenities. How many of us are following Lot's steps?

This world certainly has its "gates." Entertainers sit in the gate of their industry, at their vain award galas, pornographic videos, and hedonistic parties. Politicians posture in the gate of government, corrupt deal-making and deceit-laden speeches. The lukewarm clergy perpetrate in the gate of church boards, behind pulpits, secret mistresses and homosexual lovers. American citizens sit in the gate of their possessions, jobs, and money, and just as the Sodomites were totally oblivious to the imminent fiery, final judgment of God, so are we. 

Finally, when the two angels dispatched by God to destroy Sodom (and Gomorrah) were poised to do just that, Lot still didn't want to leave Sodom. He was so addicted to its worldly comforts but his family was in an even worse spiritual state as they were far more carnal. His sons-in-law thought he was joking when he told his family what the angels told him. Of course, they did, because they saw daily his compromised lifestyle and how he loved to sit in the gate of Sodom. 

     This is not about the disgusting, vile deeds of homosexuality, but about the Christian church becoming so comfortable living amongst modern-day Sodomites that it lives compromised lifestyles to the point where it is ineffective. Lot was a citizen of Sodom by choice and was nearly swept away in the searing destruction thereof. Lot's apostate lifestyle meant doom for his wife. He failed her as she held fast to Sodom down to the very last second of her compromising life. But Lot's "wife looked back behind him, and she became a pillar of salt" (Genesis 19:26). How many us are going to continue to look back as judgment looms overhead? Repent!

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