Avoid sin's consequences

Genesis 19:12-13; 15-17; 23-29
Related Sunday School Lesson, Family Bible Series, May 15

The life of Lot shows us the terrible consequences of sin. While Lot knew the Lord, he became entangled in a wicked society (2 Pet. 2:7,8). His involvement in sin brought devastating results to himself and his family. This week's study warns Christians that sin has very serious consequences.

Sin provokes God's judgement, Genesis 19:12-13

The two angels had left Abraham talking with the Lord about the possibility of sparing the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah from judgment (Gen. 18:16-33). Upon entering the city of Sodom, the angels saw firsthand how degraded the inhabitants of the city had become (Gen. 19:1-11).

The men of Sodom thought the angels were men and demanded to have sexual relations with them. Lot offered to give his two unmarried daughters to be abused by the men of Sodom if they would not molest these angels. This is a disgusting and vivid illustration of how deeply sin can take people into degradation. A good man can do terrible things if he turns away from the Lord.

The angels had a solemn warning for Lot. They had been sent by God to destroy the city. Lot must take his family and leave immediately. The angels made it very clear that the destruction of Sodom was an act of judgment from God because of the greatness of its sin. God's judgment on sin is a neglected theme in today's culture. However, God still judges sin.

God is gracious, Genesis 19:15-17

With the breaking of dawn there was a sense of urgency in the angels' message. Genesis 19:15-16 presents a vivid picture of the angels taking Lot, his wife and daughters by the hands and bringing them out of the city. The angels then warned them to not look back and to flee into the mountains.

The sense of urgency in the angels was because they knew that devastating judgment was coming to that place. Most Christians do not have a sense of urgency in evangelism because we have lost sight of the tragedy that awaits sinners.

Why did God send the angels to warn Lot of the impending judgment upon the city? It was certainly not Lot's righteousness for he was not living a righteous life at that time. The answer to that question is found in Genesis 19:16. There we are told that the Lord was merciful to him.

While God is holy and will bring judgment on sin, he is also a God of compassion who delights in mercy (Micah 7:18). It is only through the mercy of God that sins can be forgiven and judgment escaped (Titus 3:5; Lam. 3:23). The same God who sent the angels to bring Lot and his family out of Sodom calls man to repentance today (Isa. 55:6,7).

Sin's damage can be devastating, Genesis 19:23-26

When Lot had escaped Sodom the judgment of God fell on Sodom, Gomorrah and the cities around them. Some have attempted to explain the destruction of the cities as the random occurrence of a natural disaster. The Scripture is very clear that what happened to those cities was a definite act of God's judgment.

Genesis 19:13 specifically states that God sent the angels to destroy the city. Genesis 19:24 declares that the Lord rained brimstone and fire upon those cities while 19:25 says that the Lord overthrew the cities. The destruction of those cities was at the hand of God.

Why did God bring such devastating judgment upon those cities? Judgment came upon those cities because of the sin of homosexuality. Genesis 19:1-11 reveals the sin of homosexuality that was prevalent in Sodom. Jude 7 makes it clear that these cities were judged because of their "sexual immorality and perversion" (NIV).

While there are many today who deny that homosexuality is a sin, the Bible is very clear on this matter. The Law of Moses grouped homosexuality with incest and bestiality, making it a capital offense (Lev. 18:22; 20:13). Romans 1:26 and 27 describe homosexuality as the depths of degradation and the result of a society that has been given over by God to its vile passions. 1 Corinthians 6:9 and 1 Timothy 1:10 also describe the seriousness of this sin. However, it should be noted that 1 Corinthians 6:11 clearly teaches that one can experience forgiveness and deliverance from the sin of homosexuality.

The devastation of sin is clearly seen in this account. The cities and their inhabitants were destroyed. Lot lost his married daughters, sons-in-law, and wife in death. His daughters who escaped became involved in the disgusting sin of incest with their father (Genesis 19:30-38).

The saying, "Sin will take you farther than you wanted to go, keep you longer than you wanted to stay, and cost you more than you wanted to pay," was clearly demonstrated in Lot's life.

Intercession can make a difference, Genesis 19:27-29

It is difficult to imagine the grief in Abraham's heart as he watched the smoke arise from those cities. No doubt, he wondered if Lot and his family had escaped the city. There were no live news reports in those days. Abraham could only pray and hope as he watched the smoke arise on the distant horizon.

Abraham's prayers did not save the city (Gen. 18:16-33), but they did make a difference in Lot's life. Genesis 19:29 tells us that God remembered Abraham and sent Lot out of the city. We live in a society that is headed toward the judgment of God. Through evangelism and intercessory prayer we can see deliverance come to some. Christian prayers do make a difference in the lives of others (James 5:16).