Quiet time files 011811

But he lingered. So the men seized him and his wife and his two daughters by the hand, the LORD being merciful to him, and they brought him out and set him outside the city.

Genesis 19:16

Lingering is what you do over a cup of late night coffee with your love, after a perfect date that you don't want to end. It's not what you do when you've been warned by angels that God is about to destroy your city and everyone in it.

The "he" in the verse above is Abraham's nephew, Lot.  While well aware of the wickedness of the citizens (for a bit of a picture, read the beginning of Genesis 19), Lot and his family had moved from the land around Sodom and Gomorrah into the city of Sodom itself.  Two angels are sent by God to warn Lot to flee the city with those he loves, as God is about to rain judgement down on it.

Yet in spite of the warning, Lot lingers.  In the end, God in His mercy shifts them bodily outside the city. Even then, Lot's wife famously looks back, turning into a pillar of salt.

As easy as it might be to condemn Lot for living in a cesspool like Sodom, we should take a look at our own circumstances before we open our mouths. It is incredibly easy to linger in the presence of sin these days. Though we ourselves may not be the offenders, sin abounds all around.  Movies, television, newspapers, websites, and current cultural mores scream at us that sin is not sin. In fact, you can argue that our world is intent on making the idea of anything being "sin" an offensive concept.

But all of that should not be an excuse to linger in sin's presence.  Walk out of offensive movies (or, more likely, don't go in the first place). Stop reading inappropriate magazines and websites.  Stand up for truth rather than remaining silent.

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.

Philippians 4:8 - 9