Everyone will be remembered for something. I want to make
sure that what I’m remembered for is not used as an example of what not to be
like. That’s what happened in Luke 17:32 – 33 where Jesus said, “Remember Lot’s
wife! Whoever tries to keep his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life
will preserve it.” Lot’s wife was an example of what not to be like.
Lot’s wife – we don’t know her name – was one who looked
back on a sinful lifestyle and a sinful world and longed for it. I definitely
don’t want to do that. Jesus thought her example was a great warning for His
followers. She was being dragged away from Sodom (a city characterized by
activity that was contrary to the way of life God wanted for His people) and
yet she was looking over her shoulder longing for that lifestyle. What she saw,
if she had time to see anything, was a city being destroyed by God as judgment
for its wrongful ways. What happened to her was she was turned into a pillar of
salt sharing in the destruction of the city she was longing for. As my Bible
study book put it, “She became a lifeless pillar of salt, the picture of a
misspent, self-centered existence.”
The amazing thing is that God was willing to be merciful
toward Lot and his wife and his family in spite of their ties to a corrupt and
defiling city. God sent His messengers to warn Lot of the coming destruction in
Sodom. When Lot still procrastinated on leaving the city, the messengers took
him, his wife, and his two daughters by the hands and dragged them away from
the city. God was willing to show compassion on Lot and his entire family. He’s
willing to do the same for each of us.
But we can’t be looking back and longing for our old way of
living. “Remember Lot’s wife!” What happened to her when she looked back? She
lost out on the salvation that was awaiting her in the mountains, according to
God’s merciful salvation for her. I don’t want to be remembered for looking
back and longing for the old sinful ways of life. I want to be remembered for
having faith and trust in God.
What do you want to be remembered for?
1 comment:
That's a very convicting post. Thanks for putting it down in such clear terms. :-)
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