God loves both the wicked as well as those who are righteous with the gift of righteousness from Christ (Philippians 3:9). And He loves us enough to allow us to choose not to respond to His generous offer of salvation (John 3:16). “Behold the goodness and severity of God: severity on those who ultimately reject Him, but goodness toward us if we continue in His goodness (Romans 11:22). The awesome gift and responsibility of free will, is that we get to choose!
The Lord had sent two angels to see “whether they have done altogether according to the outcry” against Sodom (Genesis 18:21). It was clearly true, for “both old and young, all the people from every quarter,” demanded that the two men (angels) whom Lot had sheltered, be brought “out to us that we may know them (carnally).” It would have been same sex rape! When Lot refused, even offering his virgin daughters instead, they accused him of judging them, and threatened worse to him. The angels pulled Lot into the house and struck their assailants with blindness “so that they became weary trying to find the door” (Genesis 19:1-11).
Describing this the Lord says “Now this was the sin of your sister Sodom: She and her daughters were arrogant, overfed and unconcerned; they did not help the poor and needy” (Ezekiel 16:49). It seems when things are going well, we tend to forget God (i.e. Psalm 107). This verse from Ezekiel describes our culture very well (see also 2 Timothy 3:1-7). Verse 49 of the Ezekiel reference describes how it started, but not how it ended. Verse fifty reads “And they were haughty and did detestable things before me. Therefore I did away with them as you have seen.” Sodom was destroyed with fire and brimstone (Genesis 19:24, 25).
It doesn't start with “detestable things.” Paul outlines the slippery slope on the path to destruction. It starts out by not glorifying God, and not being thankful, and it proceeds from there. At a certain point God gives us over to our sin and rebellion, to suffer the exponential growth in the consequences and wickedness of it all (Romans 1:21, 24, 26, 28; Galatians 6:7). It seems to me that, if our culture has not already been given over, we are well on the way. In view of the severity of God (Romans 11:22), you might wonder why our culture is not consumed. Two things come to mind. Firstly “far be it for God to destroy the righteous with the wicked” (18:23). And even in the midst of the greatest of atrocities there are those who, like Lot, are grieved at what is going on (2 Peter 2:7). Secondly, from the parable of the wheat and the weeds (the righteous and the wicked - Matthew 13:24-30), He allows both to grow together until the harvest (judgement), least “while you're pulling the weeds, you uproot the wheat with them” (verse 29). But how many righteous are needed before He delays judgement (Genesis 18:26-32)?
Lord You'd rather no one perish, but all come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9). We believers have a responsibility, for if we would humble ourselves, pray, seek Your face, and turn from our wicked ways, then You will hear forgive our sins, and heal our land (2 Chronicles 7:14). Forgive us Lord for the many many ways we fail. We repent and choose to do our part in this awesome promise. Please come and heal our land Father, in Jesus Name Amen
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