Friends With The World

Scripture Reading:  Genesis 19:1-30

Focus verse: Romans 12:2  "Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.”

One time when I was traveling to Kenya my luggage got lost and I was without it for six days. I only had two sets of clothes.  The Kenyan pastor asked me, “how are you keeping your clothes clean”?  My answer was, “I’m careful not to get them dirty in the first place.”  James 4:4 says, Don’t you realize that friendship with the world makes you an enemy of God.”  If you make friendship with the world, then next you will love the world.  John warns us about this in 1 John 2:15 “Do not love this world nor the things it offers you for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you.” 

There is someone in the Old Testament that had a problem with loving the things of this world.  The Bible tells us that Lot saw the lush land was good for a livelihood and moved his tent near Sodom, then later he actually moved into Sodom.  Lot moved closer to the wickedness even though 2 Peter 2:7-8 says that the sinful city tormented his righteous soul.  Sodom was a filthy wicked city.  The Bible tells us that when God was going to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah, God agreed with Abraham to save Lot's family and sent angels for that act of mercy.  Lot began to warn his family, but he had no credibility with his sons in law and they joked about it.  On the morning of destruction, Lot and his family were not taking it seriously and the angels had to physically move him, his wife and daughters out of the city.  He was warned to stay far away or he would be consumed with the iniquity (wickedness) of the cities. 

 

We need to be careful about our friendship with the world.  It could cost us our life, just as it almost did for Lot.  The wickedness of the city became less and less repulsive as he moved closer and closer.  Even a righteous man who compromises to live next to wickedness can become tolerant and make unwise decisions.  Lot lost his wife.   His daughters, who were traumatized, made terrible decisions.  There is grace and forgiveness in Christ when you repent and submit yourself to Him.  Who is your best friend, Jesus or the world?

Bobby Johnson

Interlocking Ministries