Preschool
Be kindly affectioned one to another (Romans 12:10).
Don’t Look Back
Memory Verses
Primary
Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love (Romans 12:10).
Junior
Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another (Romans 12:10).
Background Scripture: Genesis 19
Lesson Scripture: Genesis 19:17-29; Luke 9:62
Introduction
Christians are continually tempted with things of this world in one way or another. James 1:14 tells us it is our sinful nature that entices us.
What happens if we forget what we were saved from and what we were delivered out of? The answer is found in the example of Lot’s wife. As we again renew our vision and turn our faces toward the goal, we will find joy in the journey and power to overcome the lure of the world.
Jesus exhorts us, “Remember Lot’s wife” (Luke 17:32). As we study the terrible consequences of her decision and the reasons for it, we will also recognize our own tendency to become attached instead of only passing through. “For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also” (Matt. 6:21).
Key Verse
Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him (Heb. 10:38).
Lesson Scripture
Genesis 19:17 And it came to pass, when they had brought them forth abroad, that he said, Escape for thy life; look not behind thee, neither stay thou in all the plain; escape to the mountain, lest thou be consumed.
18 And Lot said unto them, Oh, not so, my Lord:
19 Behold now, thy servant hath found grace in thy sight, and thou hast magnified thy mercy, which thou hast shewed unto me in saving my life; and I cannot escape to the mountain, lest some evil take me, and I die:
20 Behold now, this city is near to flee unto, and it is a little one: Oh, let me escape thither, (is it not a little one?) and my soul shall live.
21 And he said unto him, See, I have accepted thee concerning this thing also, that I will not overthrow this city, for the which thou hast spoken.
22 Haste thee, escape thither; for I cannot do any thing till thou be come thither. Therefore the name of the city was called Zoar.
23 The sun was risen upon the earth when Lot entered into Zoar.
24 Then the Lord rained upon Sodom and upon Gomorrah brimstone and fire from the Lord out of heaven;
25 And he overthrew those cities, and all the plain, and all the inhabitants of the cities, and that which grew upon the ground.
26 But his wife looked back from behind him, and she became a pillar of salt.
27 And Abraham gat up early in the morning to the place where he stood before the Lord:
28 And he looked toward Sodom and Gomorrah, and toward all the land of the plain, and beheld, and, lo, the smoke of the country went up as the smoke of a furnace.
29 And it came to pass, when God destroyed the cities of the plain, that God remembered Abraham, and sent Lot out of the midst of the overthrow, when he overthrew the cities in the which Lot dwelt.
Luke 9:62 And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.
Studying the Lesson
A background study of Lot’s life will reveal the circumstances that led up to him and his family being forcibly led out of Sodom.
Out of necessity, Abram and Lot parted ways after Abram unselfishly let Lot take first pick of the land around them. Of course, Lot noticed the well-watered and fertile land of the plain of Jordan. He chose this area to dwell and pitched his tent facing Sodom, maybe somewhat ignorant of danger. We can only suppose what his interactions were with the populace of that city after his decision to settle down in that locality. Surely he traded and did business there and became acquainted with their ways. We know they were exceedingly sinful people, but for some reason Lot eventually moved into the city. Maybe Lot’s wife was from Sodom or Gomorrah, and she convinced him to move there. Nevertheless, Lot continued to make choices that adversely affected his life and that of his family.
Meanwhile, the Lord revealed to Abraham that He was planning to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah. Abraham pled with the Lord to spare the righteous within those cities, which no doubt was the reason angels went to the effort to spare Lot and his family. They allowed Lot to flee to the city of Zoar before the wrath of the Lord rained down fire and brimstone upon Sodom, Gomorrah, and the other cities of that plain. Unfortunately, at some point during their escape, Lot’s wife disobeyed by turning around and looking back at those things she had left behind. The Moabite and Ammonite kingdoms, which later troubled God’s people in many ways, were descendants of Lot and his daughters—a tragic ending to a promising beginning.
Practical Truths for Today
The cities of Sodom and Gomorrah are recognized even today as examples of moral depravity. Is the world in which we live today any different? Though we have not chosen to live in today’s world, we are in it but are not to be a part of it. Just as Lot and his wife became lukewarm and complacent in their environment, we also are in danger of being lulled into a state of drowsiness and indifference. We can become calloused to the evil around us, and if we are not careful, turn back to those very attitudes, spirits, or vices that we forsook at our conversion. Satan’s objective is to persuade us to take our eyes off the heavenly goal and become enamored with our own agenda, goals, and ambitions. If our vision is set on heavenly things, our lifestyle, our devotion to God, and our love for the church will exemplify the mandate of being a pilgrim on this earth. This shows our faith is set on God and his promises, that we realize there is a heaven to gain and a hell to avoid, and that we believe this world and all its unrighteousness will be destroyed by the imminent return of the Lord.
“There is nothing wrong with it” or “I’m only young once” are traps of the devil. Many things have become common among us that are clearly detrimental. Enjoyment, certain kinds of entertainment, or things of themselves may not be wrong or even sin but will bring leanness of soul. Many things may be lawful but are not expedient (1 Cor. 10:23). For something to be expedient, it needs to serve our eternal purpose. The things which we buy or the places we frequent may not be so harmful, but we can unwittingly be brought under their power (1 Cor. 6:12). Not all may have yet experienced this. What starts as a one-time indulgence becomes an unstoppable desire for more pleasure and gratification. True satisfaction and fulfillment come only from wholeheartedly serving God and being of service to others.
A lukewarm condition is very deceptive. One may have touches from God and a certain communion with the brethren; however, there is a lack of fervency and love for God, his church, true doctrine, and the souls of men. Excuses are made for disobedience or offense and may be accompanied by a general lack of the holy fear of God and an abhorrence of sin. Some insincere Christians know the requirement of taking up the cross and following God but do not pursue its practical application. This is proved by their acceptance and justification of worldly entertainment or by allowing a vain display of fleshly desire. Former convictions against the love of money, technology misuse, and keeping separate from the world are compromised or entirely let go of. “Revival Christians” find determination and commitment at revival, but throughout the year a lack of urgency and a complacent mindset prevail. Procrastination eventually gives way to hopeless feelings of being overwhelmed with all the things that are wrong, and the power to change seems out of reach. As the power to live an overcoming or victorious Christian life wanes, a looser level of Christian living is accepted or tolerated. Many evil spirits lurk in the fringes to keep or capture believers in a state of weakness. The solution to these conditions is found in repentance (2 Cor. 7:10-11). A godly sorrow is part of true repentance, and repentance is the door to salvation.
If we find ourselves living carelessly or in a lukewarm condition, let us arise and trim our lamps before it is too late! The Bible warns of these things—the bridegroom is coming, and we know not when. It will take perseverance to follow the narrow way and resist the pressures around us to bend to the wrong. “But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Cor. 15:57).
Questions
- Was Lot a just man? How do we understand 2 Peter 2:7-8?
- Was a spirit of unbelief one of the reasons Lot’s wife looked back? How does unbelief relate to this lesson?
- How do we apply 1 John 2:15-16 today?
- In a spiritual sense, is it true that the leaven of sin grows only in lukewarmness?
- How do we keep the baptismal vow of forsaking the world and all its lusts?
- What is the key to living a watchful and vigilant Christian life?
Source: COGICM Daily Bible Readings (Daily Bible Readings, PO Box 124, Glenn, CA 95943).