Trouble In Paradise

TROUBLE IN PARADISE
Genesis 14

Genesis 13:12 (KJS) Abram dwelled in the land of Canaan, and Lot dwelled in the cities of the plain, and pitched [his] tent toward Sodom. 13 But the men of Sodom [were] wicked and sinners before the LORD exceedingly.

Genesis 14:11 (KJS) And they took all the goods of Sodom and Gomorrah, and all their victuals, and went their way. 12 And they took Lot, Abram's brother's son, who dwelt in Sodom, and his goods, and departed.

2Peter 2:6 (NKJV) and turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah into ashes, condemned [them] to destruction, making [them] an example to those who afterward would live ungodly; 7 and delivered righteous Lot, [who] [was] oppressed by the filthy conduct of the wicked 8 (for that righteous man, dwelling among them, tormented [his] righteous soul from day to day by seeing and hearing [their] lawless deeds)--

In his book The Naked Church, Wayne Jacobsen tells the story of a 20 year old "willowy brunette" who had come to his office on the advice of a friend. Wayne, telling of this encounter begins with her cry for help.

"You have to help me!" The look in her eyes confirmed the desperation in her voice.
She had called me 20 minutes before on a friend's recommendation, needing to see a pastor. She was barely 20, a willowy brunette. "The man I've been living with moved out on me a month ago. To get back at him I'm having an affair with his best friend."
"What can I do for you?" I asked, trying to feel out the situation.
Tears began to flow. "I'm so torn up inside. I can't sleep at night. I've got to find some peace."
Amazing! She didn't seem ashamed of her immorality or vengeance. "Why did you come to see me?"
"I'm a Christian," she said, looking shocked that I had asked. (I'm sure I looked as shocked at her answer.)
"What do you mean you're a Christian?"
"I love God, you know. Even went forward a couple of years ago to be born again. I believe he died on the cross and all that."
I couldn't believe my ears. "You see no conflict between your confession of Christianity and the lifestyle you're living?"
"Should I?" Her shocked look returned.
I'll spare you her excuses, but I helped her see the disparity between the Christianity she professed and the life she was living. I offered her healing in Jesus from her hurts, but she didn't want to give up her life, and in the end she decided she would find her peace another way.

How can people live in circumstances that are diametrically opposed to the will of God and not see the contradiction? How could Lot live in Sodom? Was he an unrighteous man who didn't care about God? How do we get ourselves into situations like the one Lot found himself in, in this chapter?

LOT WAS A RIGHTEOUS MAN

Peter says that God delivered "righteous Lot" (2Pet. 2:7). In the next verse he calls Lot "that righteous man" (2Pet. 2:8). Righteousness, even in the Old Testament, is a gift imparted to faithers. Lot was a righteous man, i.e., he had right standing with God on the basis of faith, but that's about as far as it goes.

LOT WAS A CARNAL MAN

Since righteousness is a grace gift and not a wage earned, it is possible to view Lot as a righteous man and yet call him a carnal man. Paul, in describing the carnal man declared:

"And I brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual people but as to carnal, as to babes in Christ. I fed you with milk and not with solid food; for until now you were not able to receive it, and even now you are still not able; for you are still carnal. For where there are envy, strife, and divisions among you, are you not carnal and behaving like mere men?" (1Cor. 3:1-3, NKJV)

It's possible to be a righteous believer and yet live a carnal life. To live life based on self-rule.

Lot didn't participate in the sins of Sodom, but he chose to stay there because it was economically advantageous to him. Besides, his family didn't want to move.

A TROUBLED MAN

According to Peter, Lot was not only a righteous man, he was also a tormented man.

He was "oppressed by the filthy conduct of the wicked" (2Pet 2:7).
"for that righteous man, dwelling among them, tormented his righteous soul from day to day by seeing and hearing their lawless deeds" (2:8)

According the terms Peter uses, Lot's soul was in agony. In verse 8, Peter declares that by remaining in Sodom, Lot tormented his own soul. He was the source of his own pain. Why didn't he leave? Why didn't he take your family and move out of town?

What causes a person to live in the midst of a situation that is tormenting their very soul? They have no peace. They are void of joy. They can't sleep at night. They are sickened and saddened by what they see and hear, but they keep looking and listening. Why? Had the king of Sodom chained Lot in a prison cell?

LOT WAS A BOUND MAN

The Genesis record says, "They took Lot" (14:12). Bereft of his wealth, Lot is lead way in chains. He is brought under the control of a system that represents the kingdom of darkness. May I suggest that this wasn't the beginning of Lot's captivity. Lot was a prisoner before Chedorlaomer took him captive. His fetter were much more comfortable, but they were no less real. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, the German poet and philosopher said, "None are more hopelessly enslaved than those who falsely believe they are free." Those who were iron cuffs are aware of their bondage, but those fettered by silken cords are worse off. They are bound and do not know it. Iron chains and silk cords produce the same results.

It's a lot easier to bind someone with silken cords than it is to bind them with iron chains. Silken cords are comfortable and at times even fashionable. They give the wearer a feeling of still being in control. You give them what they want, tell them what they want, and they will reciprocate. Give the teenager popularity and he will do what the crowd does so he can continue to be a part. Give the lonely housewife the love she needs and she will reciprocate. It is called compromise and is one of Satan's most successful weapons. People will compromise their convictions and morals to get what they want.

Lot was in bondage to his flesh and to the world before he was in bondage to Chedorlaomer. You can be sure that iron chains aren't far behind silken fetters.

LOT WAS A DELIVERED MAN

Again, it is Peter who tells us that God "delivered righteous Lot" (2Pet. 2:7). First, he was delivered from Chedorlaomer. Second, he was delivered from Sodom before God destroyed it.

The facts indicate that after he was delivered from The Sheaf Binder (Chedorlaomer), he returned to Sodom. Here was his chance to leave the source of his torment. His experience with Chedorlaomer was a wake up call, but he was too asleep to hear it.

Abram had removed the iron chains from Lot's wrist, but he could not lift the silken fetters from Lot's heart. Lot was bound to Sodom by his love for himself.

CONCLUSION

Lot's deliverance from Chedorlaomer didn't cost him anything. He didn't have to deny himself anything because he had lost everything.

He listened while Abram received Melchizedek's blessing and as Abram rejected Bera's offer. He stood free of the iron shackles that had bound him. No, it didn't cost him anything to be free of Chedorlaomer, but it would cost him everything to be free from Sodom and self. Could he do it? Would he do it?

It doesn't cost us anything to be delivered from sin, but it cost God everything. Abram funded Lot's deliverance from Chedorlaomer, but Lot would have to deny himself if he was going to be free from Sodom and king Bera.

As Abram rode into the distance, Lot turned and went back to Sodom. His wife would not leave it. His oldest daughters were engaged to Sodomites and the weddings had already been planned. He had a business to tend to and he needed to check on his house in Sodom.

"If a man would be my disciple let him deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me." JESUS

It's easier to remove brass chains than it is to deliver a man from silken cords.

PRAYER

Father thank you for delivering me from Chedorlaomer! It is good to be free from the iron chains that bound me. I am, however, suspicious that there are silken cords around my heart. Please help me to leave Sodom and it's flattery. Please strengthen me so that I can break these comfortable cords that keep me from following your Son.

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