Text verses: Genesis 19:1-38

Lot had made a choice in Genesis 13:8-12; when Abram told Lot, that because of the strife between them and their households, they had to separate (Genesis 13:8-9). In Genesis 13:10-12, Lot chose to pitch his tent toward Sodom. But as Genesis 19:1-30 reveal, this Choice Lot made came with a great Cost to him.

1) First, Lot lost his testimony:

“And Lot went out, and spake unto his sons in law, which married his daughters, and said, Up, get you out of this place; for the LORD will destroy this city. But he seemed as one that mocked unto his sons in law.” (Genesis 19:14)

2) Second, he lost his wealth and his position in Sodom, as he had to leave it all behind (Genesis 19:22).

3) Third, he lost his wife (Genesis 19:26); she turned to a pillar of salt

4) Fourthly, he was used to impregnate his own daughters as he lay drunk. Thus he became the father of Moab and Ammon, whose descendants hated God’s people.

The Apostle Paul wrote in Galatians:

“Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.” (Galatians 6:7)

“For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.” (Galatians 6:8)

The above verses state plainly the law of sowing and reaping. You must keep in mind that Lot was a “just” man (2 Peter 2:7-9a). Therefore, even just men fall because of the flesh. (See King David’s fall with Bathsheba, and the death of Uriah her husband in 2 Samuel 11 and 12).

However, let it be fully understood that God has given us access to Himself to help in times of need (Hebrews 4:16); in times of daily sin (1 John 1:9).

Our sin debt to God was taken care of by Christ in His Atonement on the Cross (Romans 3:24-25; 5:1-2; Ephesians 1:7; 1 Peter 2:24). Because of His Atonement, we were Reconciled to God; Redeemed out of the bondage of sin; Justified, or declared righteous, in Christ. This position before God can never change, for God is immutable. Christ got the job done (Hebrews 9:12-26; 10:1-22). There is no need of any future sacrifice for sin. (See Isaiah 53:1-12; especially verses 10-11, where God was satisfied by the Sin Offering, who was Christ; 2 Corinthians 5:21).

Therefore there is no sin that we can commit, or have committed, that Christ did not atone for on the Cross. This secures our position. (See 1 Corinthians 1:30; Romans 8:29-39; Ephesians 1:4-7.)

“But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:” (1 Corinthians 1:30)

“For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.” (Romans 8:29)

“Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.” (Romans 8:30)

“According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:” (Ephesians 1:4)

“Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,” (Ephesians 1:5)

“To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.” (Ephesians 1:6)

“In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;” (Ephesians 1:7)

But the problem that the Child of God runs into is – he is obeying the flesh and depending upon self – instead of yielding his members unto God and relying upon the Power of the Spirit of God that dwells within the believer – in his daily life. The believer is not classed as a ‘sinner’ – but a ‘saint’ (1 John 3:9; Romans 1:6-7), or one set apart unto Christ, sanctified.

The facts are:

1) The “old man” in the believer has been crucified (Romans 6:4-22); but the “old man” is still in the soul of man (Romans 7:15-24), even though his power has been broken:

“For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.” (Romans 8:2)

2) There are times when the saint yields to the desires of his flesh.

3) Then he is convicted by the Spirit.

4) If the saint does not repent, and confess his sin, then God has to judge him. Then the Rod rests upon that Child of God. This is called “chastening” (Hebrews 12:5-11); which leads to either confession or death.

But once God begins His Chastening Process (those not exercised thereby; Hebrews 12:11), the cost in the flesh will come to fruition; there will be a reaping of destruction of the flesh.

In Lot’s case, his repentance and confession is not recorded. Therefore the cost was great in his flesh.

Child of God, you must always be aware that the choices you make are very, very important. The Apostle Paul gives instructions as to how to avoid the reaping of the flesh (1 Corinthians 10, 12, 13; Hebrews 12:5-11). And the Apostle John wrote (1 John 1:7-10; 2:1-3), you must daily examine your walk and make adjustments according to the Will of God.