Luke 17:32-33

Here we are given two stern warnings from the lips of our Savior – “Remember!” and choose wisely: live to self and die or die to self and live. Considering eternity is never ending and our stint here relatively brief, a much wiser choice for us to make is to die to self thereby preserving our very lives. This comes through our keeping an eternal perspective in mind. Jesus tells us:

33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Matt 6:33 (NIV)

Let’s address the first warning: “32 Remember Lot's wife!” L ot, as you may recall, was the nephew of Abraham who set out together with Abraham from Haran to go to the land God had called them. As their flocks and herds increased the land was no longer able to support them so they parted ways to support their increasing livestock. At their parting, Abraham told Lot to choose first the place that he would dwell and then Abraham would take what was left. Lot opts for the bright lights of the city of Sodom and leaves Abraham to pitch his tents near that very wicked domain. It only takes one chapter later for us to find Lot and his wife and two daughters living within the city walls. Isn’t sin subtle in spiraling us down? You can almost hear the reasoning of “Salty” (as I lovingly call her): “The city offers so much for the girls Lot”, “I am sure that we won’t be too highly influenced by their despicable culture”, “There are so many opportunities for us here, so much for us to do” – and on and on it goes. It is certainly easy for me to justify any poor behavior or choice I want to make – how about you? I am not downing cities – in fact, I am a city slicker from way back, but Sodom was already grievously sinning against the Lord. Perhaps Lot was even aware of that before he went. Furthermore, when the decree from heaven came to destroy it, the angels had to practically drag Lot and his family out by the hair in order to get them to leave to save their scrawny necks from the impending doom. They had so bought into that culture that they couldn’t bear to depart from it. Amazing! How easily we can be duped by the far reaching powerful tentacles of sin! Their stipulation was not to look back as the burning sulfur fell from heaven and overtook the place. We find “Salty”, unfortunately, cannot resist the temptation. Genesis tells us:

26 But Lot's wife looked back, and she became a pillar of salt. Gen 19:26 (NIV)

Longingly looking at and grasping for what God considers repugnant, “Salty” becomes a lasting reminder for us all to choose wisely –Jesus’ second point – the only way to save our lives is through losing them. As believers we are to be “crucified with Christ” no longer living in our power but in His as Paul states:

20 I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. Gal 2:20 (NIV)

We live for God because as believers, Christ lives in us. We die to the self-righteous, self-centered ways of our past ending the enthronement of self and yielding it to Christ. This is not done in our own strength but through the power of the Holy Spirit that indwells every true believer of Jesus. This begs the questions for each one of us to answer: On what or on whom do we choose to fix our gaze? On what or on whom do we choose to fill the longing of our insatiable hearts? God desires for His children to fix their eyes on Jesus the Author of our faith:

1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. 2 Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. Heb 12:1-3 (NIV)

God also desires to be the filler of our hearts. He is fully aware that man cannot serve two masters and that a divided heart will always fall:

10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. John 10:10 (NIV)

24 "No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money. Matt 6:24 (NIV)

25 Jesus knew their thoughts and said to them, "Every kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and every city or household divided against itself will not stand. Matt 12:25 (NIV)

Jesus states our choice is a life and death matter. God is serious about sin. He hates it. It cost Him the life of His Son. Sin is also an attack on the character of God. When we choose to sin, what we actually are doing is saying we think we know better than God what is best for us. Either we feel like He is holding out on us or we do not believe His Word to be Truth. We couldn’t be more wrong. Jeremiah states:

11 For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 12 Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. Jer 29:11-13 (NIV)

Paul writes in 1 Corinthians:

9 However, as it is written: "No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him" -- 1 Cor 2:9 (NIV)

God wants to be the desire of our hearts because He knows He has our best interest at heart. He is always out for our good and for His glory never one surpassing the other. Trust me in this; we are most satisfied when God is most glorified. It boils down to the choices we make – do we believe what he says is true? If we believe it we will act on it. Giving lip service sans actions always proves that we do not and our hearts remain divided. Beware!

“An awakened heart trembles at the audacity of sin, and stands alarmed at the contemplation of its punishment. How monstrous a thing is rebellion! How direful a doom is prepared for the ungodly! My soul, never laugh at sin’s fooleries, lest thou come to smile at sin itself. It is thine enemy, and thy Lord’s enemy – view it with detestation, for so only canst thou evidence the possession of holiness, without which no man can see the Lord.” C.H. Spurgeon

“Sin is the dare of God’s justice, the rape of His mercy, the jeer of His patience, the slight of His power, and the contempt of His love.” John Bunyan

“If there is joy in the world, surely the man of pure heart possesses it.” Thomas a Kempis