Why Didn’t God Destroy Lot with Sodom and Gomorrah?

Why didn't God destroy lot along with the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah. That's just one of the questions will be answering on today's edition of core Christianity will hi this is Bill Meyer along with Pastor Israel Sanchez. We hope you had a wonderful weekend. This is a radio program where we answer your questions about the Bible and the Christian life every day.

You can call us right now with your question. At 833, the court, that's 1-833-843-2673 also post a question on one of our social media accounts like Facebook, Instagram, or twitter, you can watch a drill live right now on YouTube and messages that way the course, you can always email us your question at questions at core, Christianity.com first up today let's go to Kelly in Bellevue, Illinois Kelly what your question for a drill and the correct way. I already trying to be a great day and he's done everything and be in heaven and it's wonderful and people believe and I believe in one.

I didn't think it really mattered, not a game changer I think will all be in heaven. No matter which way we go to bed now that I can at the end times and what can happen and how bad it will be used.

I don't have the same sense of security. I know that I just think that the joy but how could you refrain that you help me better way will of course Kelly, our Lord Jesus said to his disciples before he left in this world you will have tribulation bowl. Also look anyone who desires to live a godly life in Jesus Christ is going to suffer persecution as we do experience difficulty in in this life, whether it's persecution or just sickness. You know that the reality of living in a fallen world. With the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ is always been a great hope for believers because there is relief that's given to the saints at that at that moment so it's it's Christ coming to redeem his people once and for all to to rescue them if you will. From this present evil age and so it's something that we can look forward to. Not with dread but with great hope and I want to just read what Paul says in first Thessalonians chapter 5 because I think I think he gets to your question there beginning in verse 26 concerning the times and the seasons, brothers have no need to have anything written to you for you yourselves are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. While people are saying there is peace and security, then sudden destruction will come upon them, as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. That's a scary part right that's that's that.

Well okay thief in the night, but then he says in verse four, but you are not in darkness, brothers, for that day to surprise you like a thief, for you are all children of light. Children of the day. We are not of the night, or of the darkness. So then let us not sleep as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober. Those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk are drunk at night. But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love and for a helmet the hope of salvation for God has not destined us for wrath to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ who died for us so that whether we are awake or asleep, we might live with him. Therefore encourage one another and build one another up just as you are doing. That's the encouragement for for you.

Kelly is you are not of the darkness.

You are of the day, a child of light because you belong to Jesus Christ by faith in the world around us might fall apart in alike might crumble and yet we belong to the Lord.

No one can snatch you out of the hand of the true in the living God. And that's the comfort that we have and that's the comfort that the people of God it have had for the last 2000 years in the midst of that the difficulties of life knowing that Christ is coming back to redeem us to rescue us to to restore the whole world that and put things to write, but that that's a comfort that we have and so may the Lord bless you and fill you with his pieces is you continue to look to him as Paul says there you know putting on the breastplate of faith and love and for a helmet the hope of salvation. That's yours Kelly some great promises there. Israel, thanks so much for pointing that out. And Kelly, thank you for being a regular listener of core Christianity really do appreciate that one of the ways that you can ask a question is by leaving us a voicemail and her voicemail operates 24 hours a day so if you can call during the show. Feel free to call anytime at 833 the core that's 1-833-843-2673. There's a voicemail I came in from one of our listeners named Josh but out and around midnight, but not a no no please don't do that regardless that Darvocet so I'm why when the sky offers to our and why did God or God allow that You are referring to the book of Genesis Genesis chapter 19 where you have the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah and the rescue of Lot, the nephew of Abraham, and this is a really interesting chapter of Scripture one lot in the New Testament is described as this righteous man daily in consternation vexed because of the sensual conduct of the wicked around him, the people of Sodom.

But here when you read Genesis chapter 19 he's he seems like kind of a compromise or is that he's a part of the community there in Sodom and when the people of Sodom gather around his house wanting to violate that the gas these two strangers.

They were angels.

Lot says in Genesis chapter 19 verse eight.

Behold, I have two daughters with not known any man, let me bring them out to you and do them as you please and and it just is this really shocking thing like how can this guy do this and there's some commentators who have tried to justify lot by say will he's he's just yes such a high view of hospitality toward strangers that he is willing to sacrifice anything in order to protect his guests, but there's no way of of really you know brushing this hub so that it's it's okay for that. It's justifiable that he's sinning.

He's compromising here now. Thankfully, in this story in particular that the two angels that they bring lot back inside and lots daughters are also delivered. The angel strike these these mad men outside with blindness and eventually lot and and the majority of his family were able to escape from the city of Sodom.

So it is daughters were actually given to these people.

But the reality is were seeing here is just the danger of compromise. The danger of sin, even for someone like Lot who is described in the New Testament as righteous. The reality is that the Christian life isn't easy and it's not perfect were not perfect.

We sin, even in grievous ways you think of David committing adultery.

King David and and so we don't need to be out the brush over those things are try to justify much the reality these people were sinners who God still used lot was a sinner who God still used and why does God redeem him.

Why does he save him well. Purely the mercy of God, it's so interesting when when the angel try to get them out of the city of Sodom. Verse 16 of chapter 19 says he lingered so the men seized him and his wife and his two daughters by the hand of the Lord being merciful to him and they brought them out and set them outside the city and the end of this chapter of our doors in the chapter and verse 29 it says that God remembered Abraham who was praying for the city of Sodom and because he remembered Abraham and the prayers of Abraham. He rescued lot. It is amazing picture of of lot this compromise are being delivered being rescued because he has the prayers of this righteous man Abraham being offered up on his behalf and and we get to look forward to the true and greater Abraham who daily lives to make intercession for us. Praying for us.

Compromise though we do at times he's in heaven praying for us and so there's so much there in in that text of Scripture, but II hope that that helps clear up to this question in particular for you and it really is just a picture of God being merciful to sinful lot. You're listening to core Christianity with pastor Israel Sanchez. We often receive questions about the topic of repentance on this program and today were offering you a free resource that actually answer some of those questions yeah the resources called seven things everyone should know about repentance is a free download@corechristianity.com and it describes what it actually means to repent how it is a grace in our life and how it really is an ongoing part of the Christian life, severe struggling with doubts or insecurities about repentance and sin.

This is a perfect resource for you to help ground in your faith and and fix your eyes on the work of Jesus Christ. Again, there is no charge for that. It's a free PDF download.

You can find it at our website. Just go to core Christianity.com/offers and look for seven things everyone should know about repentance. Our phone number if you have a question for pastor Israel about the Bible or the Christian life.

Call us anytime and you can buy the way we mentioned earlier, you can leave a voicemail if you can't get through today. The numbers 833 the core that's 1-833-843-2673 will be taking your calls for the next 10 minutes or so.

So jump on the phone right now. 833. The core let's go to Elias calling in from Hempstead, New York Elias what your question for pastor Israel and blogger Dr. Bill Meyer. Salvation is by faith.

She is not more every man should boast about the word of God usually serves work out your salvation with fear and trembling and make your calling and election sure my question are not used to works in contradiction to faith in Christ alone.

Elias, thank you that question you're referring to two passages in the New Testament, Philippians chapter 2 verse 12 and then also a text in second Peter first, with regard to the detection Philippians chapter 2 verse 12 from the apostle Paul. Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.

Now if we just stop there. Boy would be pretty heavy work out my own salvation with fear and truly is. Is he saying work for my salvation. Is he saying I have to save myself with fear and trauma that kind of it. They will know that would contradict the other passage of Scripture that that you quoted. It's not of works, lest anyone should boast. But he goes on to say Elias in verse 13 for it is God who works in you both to will and to work for his good pleasure.

Another was even the willing. The desire is something that God is working in you in your heart. It's a grace of the Holy Spirit. There's nothing good that we do in the Christian life apart from God. In fact, Jesus himself said in John chapter 15 I am the vine, you are the branches. Apart from me you can do nothing.

So were talking about, even good works in the Christian life. Is there nothing so we do sort of muster up in and of ourselves in our own strength with fear and trembling. It's through our being united to Jesus by faith that he bears the fruit and bears the fruit of the spirit in our lives and so is not salvation by works.

It's being taught there in Philippians chapter 1 and then also the text in second Peter that that you brought up again. Another very important passage of Scripture second Peter chapter 1 verse 10. Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and election for if you practice these qualities you will never fail. Now hear you reeling to go back to verse three any talks about all of these things that the Lord has given to us as Christians.

Verse three his divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, but again this is a gift God himself is the one who is given us all of the these things so that we verse four might become partakers if you will, of the divine nature. I really is.

It really is quite beautiful and so again even even FFG is not saying you need to you need to call and elect yourself for work to make sure that your saved by the Lord called and elected know he saying confirm it by seeing these things by receiving these promises by walking in this manner, and so both of these passages aren't teaching salvation by works. To the contrary. What's emphasized in the context of both of these texts is the free gift of God's goodness to sinners and so really lies.

Thank you for your call. May the Lord bless you. Thanks Elias for being a regular listener to core Christianity by the way we want to mention if you have a friend or relative, or work associate. The may have questions about the Bible or the Christian life. Encourage them to tune into our program. We air live at 11:30 AM Pacific time, which translates into 1230 Mountain 130 Central or 230 Eastern time for that half hour course I can always listen online after the program or to our podcast just I can find that@corechristianity.com and you can always leave a voicemail for us as we set it 833, the court hears a voicemail that came in from one of our listeners name Jerry, I have couple of question number one. I have 458. Brian, I've been trying for. And I get my question is what what more can I do a what can I do bind them to God to help him to get to know God. One of my son.

It's not going to church anymore. I want to know what can I do it to help you anchor so much about my God bless you brother as you seek to share the love of Jesus Christ with the people around you with your atheist friends and and as you long to see your children also walk in the faith and know and love Jesus and I think you're off to write start a good start. Prayer is so important. We need to realize that this is a work of the Holy Spirit. People don't get saved because we twist their arms or you know are able to fully convince them with our special abilities that this is just totally true even even being able to grasp the unit to confess Jesus is Lord that's work of the Holy Spirit. That's what Paul told the Corinthians. No one can say that Jesus is Lord except by the Holy Spirit, and so continue to fall before the Lord and to say God do the work that only you can do and realize that this is a spiritual battle. The apostle Paul said in second Corinthians chapter 4 verse three. Even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing in their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God for what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ is Lord, with ourselves as servants for your sake, for Christ sake, as I bring this up to it to highlight one you need to pray because it is a spiritual battle but to focus on the gospel because the power is in the word God uses his word to open the hearts of people to to chip away at the stony hearts to reveal the glory of Christ, that the Paul is talking about there in second Corinthians chapter 4 so I think those two things are are what you need to focus on continuing to pray, but when you have opportunities clearly sharing the gospel with them what Christ has done who he is.

The fact that he rose again from the dead and commands all people everywhere to repent. It's not just about something that that they feel are something they gain in terms of hey Christianity can help you have a happier life. That kind of thing. No, we believe that God himself sent his son into the world and his son suffered for our sins and then rose again from the dead, and he's alive right now in this demand something of each and every person who is alive on earth. And so and so is that gospel message brother that you continue to bring forward in the lives of your friends and in the lives of your children and living a life yourself that is in line with that gospel, not contradicting the message that we preach. By the way we we treat one another by the way that we live. We want to we want me to wait. We can't, we can't be the gospel were not the gospel but our lives should be an implication of the power of the gospel with the gospel does to redeem sinners and so those things in me that that's all that you can do, relying upon the Lord, trusting in him to do what only he can do, which is change the heart. God bless you. I sure appreciate so much your question. This is core Christianity with pastor Israel Sanchez.

Let's go to Steve in Richmond Mimosa, Missouri hey Steve, what's your question for atrial.

My question is a help from friends and relatives have decided to go down this road and I don't like to be confronted with it so I thought they heard it from someone else may go further, okay Steve you want me to do the dirty work. I you want me to do the confronting gets no listen, but there are different kinds of pressure is him brother. There is, I think you know what sometimes described as full predators, cement, and the idea there for those who are unfamiliar with this were thinking about that the doctrine of the last things, and full pressure is him is the belief that we see in places like Matthew 24 and throughout the book of Revelation. The prophecies there. Those are all referring to things that already took place in the past. Pressure is him really centralized around that the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 A.D. and in my opinion, brother. When we look at places like Matthew chapter 24.

There are references to 70 A.D. there Jesus talked about the destruction of the Temple and so we can understand some of this language as related to that, but I think he's also talking about something in the future and in the main problem I would say brother with that the sort of full predators of you is you even have people is a will that the second coming is already happened. The resurrection even has already have in the resurrection of the dead.

And that's just belief that I think is not sustainable. I think that when you look at these texts, even Matthew 24 and then and then also throughout the book of Revelation.

The prophecies there there still yet more to come. Also the other books that you'd want to focus on her first and second Thessalonians. In terms of understanding properly. The day of the Lord. So we as Christians are looking forward to the second coming of Jesus Christ. The resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come. That has not yet happened but it's going to happen and so that's that's the issue with the with the full predators of you appreciate your your question, I think, continuing to have conversations about the Scriptures and and as I said places to dig in our first and second Thessalonians Matthew 24 in the book of Revelation.

By the way, we have a Bible study a 10 week Bible study on the book of Revelation, and if you stay on the line.

Steve made we can get that in your hands. God bless and integrate Bible study if that particular book is confusing to you, or you're trying to really make sense of that man. This is something you really want to get just go to core Christianity.com/Revelation to learn more about that study. One of the ways you can ask a real question is by emailing us our email address is questions at core, Christianity.com just the word questions at core, Christianity.com Debbie wrote to us, and she says this I see so much division among believers who were strong Christians and becoming bitter and angered over current issues. I've heard Christians say the Holy Spirit told them to get the coronavirus vaccine and other Christians say they felt the Holy Spirit told him to stay away from the vaccine.

Both of them are adamant how can both say the Holy Spirit led them to or away from the same thing. Well, yeah, seems like there's a contradiction here.

The first thing I'll say is a lot of times we we just need to be more careful with how we use our language. People will say God spoke to me or God told me, and usually what they mean by that is I had this really strong feeling now can God use our feelings providentially to lead us to guide us. Yes, certainly. But that's not the same thing as God's revelation as God speaking to you in the same way that he spoke to the prophets in the Old Testament to Isaiah into Ezekiel or spoke to the apostles in the New Testament we have to be really careful that we we don't suggest that because the reality is when God speaks, it's perfect.

He doesn't contradict himself so it's it's clear when you hear people talking like this. It well it's probably not the Lord. Nothing you don't feel really strongly about this it in your own conscience, but we can't confuse our conscience with the Holy Spirit and so I think that that's that's part of the problem here and when it comes to stuff like this were called to exercise wisdom to to get the information. The best information that's in front of us to consult the people who know what they're talking about, not just what we scroll through on Instagram or YouTube or whatever you know people via sharing their own thoughts, but to talk to people who know what they're talking about in terms of medicine in terms of immunology, those kinds of things and and using wisdom, the wisdom that God calls us to exercise in his word to make a decision with a clear conscience. But let's not say as we do, that God is the one who's telling me to do this and then try to bind other people's consciences, as though God was speaking to us and is also speaking to them that's a way of abusing Scripture and abusing the quote "voice of God and we got to be really careful in the Old Testament God frequently warned the false prophets because they would say God has said when he never spoke in fact Jeremiah over and over and over again says you know God says to the prophet Jeremiah. These profits, you know that they say they're speaking my word, but I haven't spoken to them. I can call them into my counsel. I can give them a word. And yet there claiming to speak on my behalf and and so we need to be very careful brothers and sisters that we don't miss represent God or claim that God is speaking through us in that sense, when in reality it's just our own sort of personal opinions and feelings when you have a higher view of the word of God and of the voice of God and then exercise charity with one another, as were wrestling these things. There are so many divisions.

What unites us is the gospel of Jesus Christ to me to fall back on that in order to exercise the kind of love and charity for each other. God calls us to.

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