What I have learned from QT today

Really learned a lot from today's QT. However, my mind is currently still not very organised so don't really know how to go about blogging it. Today, the main part of the QT that i remembered was about Lot again. Well, why do I seem to focus on Lot? Well, first thing is that the author James Boice focus on him yet again. Secondly is the fact that Lot really portray the typical Christians that we see in our day? Pathetic? Sad? Well, I really don't think I am in any way fit to judge. Why so? When I compared myself between Abraham and Lot (lets imagine there is a scale there. Lot on one side, Abraham is on the other) I think I will probably be somewhere near Lot. That is definitely not good. Oh well, I am trying my best, and with prayer and with support I know I will be more like Abraham. Just a reminder, this doesn't lead to salvation. It is what a saved person is supposed to do. Doing more good doesn't lead to your salvation. Buddhism, Islam etc teaches that way, but Christianity is about faith and trust in God.

So what can be concluded about Lot? Lot made many errors. One of his first error was to move near Sodom. From there, his principles slowly get eroded by the ways of Sodom. It didn't seem much at first. It may not look exactly harmless at first but neither does it look like a bad choice. The first compromise lead to the next and so on (read the posts below to know what he compromised on). Slowly his heart became hard towards sin. He seem determined not to change from his ways. How do we know? He actually pleaded to the angels that he cannot run that far and that he wishes to remain in a place near Sodom. He doesn't wish to run far far away. At first it seem like it is quite reasonable, after all he must be well advanced in years. He may not be eighty and above, but he is definitely not less than forty, unless he left Ur in his youth. Sodom was surrounded by mountains. These are definitely not the heights of Bukit Timah Hill. However, if he had really trust the Lord, then the Lord will have given him power and strength to overcome it. Instead, he was trying to debate with the angels. It was obvious he wasn't really wanting to leave the "world".

Well, what I have learn and reminded from this is that we really have to run from temptations. REALLY RUN FROM IT! If we flirt with temptations (as what I do sometimes. Got to really watch out when this happens), there will be times where we will let the small sins (seemingly harmless ones) in. When these sins become fully grown, it will lead to death. Well, still unconvinced. I am not the one who says this. It is the bible which time and time again reliterate this point. Well, but I think this is one of the things that the typical Christians is facing now. Whether we can overcome it depends on whether we depend on the Lord and whether we decide to hug the world (which will bring you great rewards now, but then if one really gets saved, then I guess it will be by the skin and teeth) or to grab on to God's word and do what He teaches. (May be rewarding now, but then it comes with great suffering. However, there will be great reward in heaven). May the readers of this blog choose the second choice. Easy to say but tough to follow. Well, no one godly men has ever said that the Christian walk will be easy.

In the end, what happened? Lot's daughters commit incest with Lot. They gave birth to Moab and the Ammonites. Well, what actually lead to this? If Lot haven't gone to Sodom, and instead been teaching them godly ways and be a good father, this will not have happened. However, he easily compromised on the principles. Whatever the father does, the children will absorb it like sponge. They may not really have seen the godly side of Lot but rather the world- hugging Lot. The surrounding people are well, you know, pure evil. Therefore they are totally immersed in the world and therefore follow the world. Therefore, Fathers and fathers to be, better be a good example to your children. Mothers are to help too. However I think fathers are to take the leading role and guiding role. Therefore, what you do will really affect your children. If the father is someone who doesn't do a good example e.g. always working and don't spend time with his children, or taking up some vice, just don't expect your children to be better off. If they are it is because of God's grace and mercy. However, whatever happens, you will not really play a part in your children's life, and well, it will obviously be sad.

Well, there are many other things that the author pointed out. All the points are valid and good. However, if I continue posting it may become too long. Therefore, buy James Boice, really good commentator (not making an advertisment for him).

In All, To God be the Glory