Judgement, warnings ignored: Only Lot and his daughters escape

The two angels now warned Lot that the Lord was going to destroy the city.  He was to take his wife,  two daughters and sons-in-law and flee. The two in-laws think he's joking. Since they hesitate the two men take Lot, his wife and two daughters by the hand and lead them out of the city. They warn “Escape for your life! Do not look behind .... lest you be destroyed.”  After they had entered the city of  Zoar,  the Lord rained down fire and brimstone on Sodom and Gomorrah. But Lot's wife looked behind her,  and she became a pillar of salt (Genesis 19:12-28).

We often talk about the elephant in the room, meaning the inconvenient truths we are uncomfortable talking about. Well, there is an elephant in the world. We're happy to talk about the love of God, but what about tough love, speaking the truth in love to somebody who doesn't want to hear the truth! And what about the wrath of God? Should we be silent?  Paul could say that he had not shunned to declare the whole counsel of God (Acts 20:27).  


In particular, there are many warnings in Scripture about hell and judgement,  and it's not just Old Testament. Yes God is love, but He is also a consuming fire (1 John 4:16; Hebrews 12:29). The wrath of God is mentioned seventeen times in the New Testament. In John 3:36 we read “He who believes in the Son has everlasting life;  he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.” Jesus told  that when Holy Spirit would come, He would convict the world of sin, righteousness and judgement (John 16:8). Peter asks “If the righteous are barely saved, what will happen to godless and lovers of sin” (1 Peter 4:18)?  Like Lot and his two daughters, true believers are simply those who have fled to God for refuge (Hebrews 6:18).

And Jesus instructs us to remember Lot's wife (Luke 17:32),  and we are to understand by that, that looking behind is not a casual glance to the rear, it is about turning back (verse 31).  Commentators suggest that Lot's wife had become comfortable where she was, and this should be a warning to us. Jesus tells that  “No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God” (Luke 9:62). If the plowman looked back, it would cause the furrow to not be straight. It's a bit like taking our eyes off the road while driving. Barnes' Notes explain that he who enters the Kingdom “must do it with his whole heart, he that comes still loving the world - still looking with regret on its pleasures, its wealth, and its honours - he has not "wholly" forsaken them .... and  is not fit for the kingdom of God.”

Lord Jesus,  there are many perversions of Your gospel out there, “Come to Jesus and get rich,” 'Come to Jesus and He will solve all your problems.'  It's not that You don't give us a lot of help, but what about “whoever does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple” (Luke 14:33)?  What about “all who live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution” (2 Timothy 2:12). We must not be lukewarm Lord, we are to take up our cross daily and follow You (Revelation 3:16; Luke 9:23). We need Your Grace, and we're asking for it this morning in Your precious Name Amen