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This morning I want to tell the story of one person. The title of this story is "A Defeated Righteous Man." This title means that the person is defeated, but he is also a righteous man. There are victorious righteous people, and there are defeated righteous people. We must use this defeated righteous man as a warning in order to be victorious righteous persons. Who is this defeated righteous one? Let us read 2 Peter 2:6-8 in the Bible.
"And having reduced to ashes the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah, condemned them to ruin, having set them as an example to those who intend to live an ungodly life, and rescued righteous Lot, who had been oppressed by the licentious manner of life of the lawless (for that righteous man, who settled down among them, in seeing and hearing tormented his righteous soul day after day with their lawless works)." Lot was such a person. His soul was a righteous soul, and he was a righteous man. His soul was tormented day after day upon seeing and hearing unlawful works. Since he was such a man, why do we say that he was a defeated righteous man?
We have to know who Lot was. Lot was neither a famous person nor an uncommon man. Lot is well-known because he had a famous uncle, Abraham. His uncle was a renowned man. He became well-known because of his uncle. Let us read in the book of Genesis to see what kind of person Lot was.
Genesis 11:31 says, "And Terah took Abram his son, and Lot the son of Haran his son's son, and Sarai his daughter-in-law, his son Abram's wife; and they went forth with them from Ur of the Chaldees, to go into the land of Canaan; and they came unto Haran, and dwelt there." If we read Acts 7, we know that when Abraham was in Mesopotamia, before he dwelt in Haran, God appeared to him and called him out of his country and his kindred to go into a land which God would show him. He left the land of the Chaldeans for Canaan. He was not the only one who left Ur of the Chaldees; his father followed him. And Abraham's father was not the only one who left with him; his nephew Lot also followed him. Lot was just like a "preacher's boy" or part of a believer's family. Lot followed his uncle when he left Ur for Canaan because his uncle said that Ur of the Chaldees was a place of confusing morality that had been condemned by God and that they had to go to Canaan because God had called them to leave Ur.
According to the historians, Abraham's house was a house of idol-makers. This, most likely, was the profession of Abraham's father. Joshua 24 mentions that Abraham was brought out of the house of idol-worshippers. Since Lot heard his uncle say that he wanted to leave the world behind and no longer live carelessly, he followed his uncle and departed from Ur.
Our friends here today may not have personally heard God's call. Perhaps your grandfather, father, mother, wife, or uncle have heard God's call and brought you along. Lot himself did not hear God's call. Only his uncle heard it. This is why he left with his uncle. Perhaps your father, brother, sister, or wife believed first, but eventually you also believed. You are a Lot. If there is someone in your house who has believed in the Lord, and if you are not willing to follow, you are wrong. It is best to follow. It is excellent when some people follow their mother or father in believing, but unfortunately, many people themselves do not know God. Your grandfather believes, your uncle believes, but you do not know God. This is a pity.
Lot was good. Not only did he follow his uncle, but he was also a righteous person. Abraham was like an older believer. Lot was like a young believer. Since Lot and Abraham were relatives and had taken the same path, it should have been excellent. The beginning of these two men was excellent, but eventually they separated. How were they separated? Let us look at the ensuing passage in the Bible.
Genesis 13:5-6 says, "And Lot also, which went with Abram, had flocks, and herds, and tents. And the land was not able to bear them, that they might dwell together: for their substance was great, so that they could not dwell together." It is easy to bear suffering and distress together. It is more difficult to be in comfort together. The two men left Ur together and went to Canaan. This was very good, and God blessed them. Their possessions multiplied. However, problems arise as soon as possessions multiply. If I have a place to live, you will not have the same place to live. If you have a place to live, I will not be able to have the same place. If your flocks and herds have grass to feed on, mine will have none. If my flocks and herds have grass, yours will have none. You may not say anything, and I may not say anything, but the servants will speak even if the masters do not.
Genesis 13:7 says, "And there was a strife between the herdmen of Abram's cattle and the herdmen of Lot's cattle." There was a strife among their subordinates. One said, "My cattle must graze on the pasture here." The other said, "My sheep need to be fed here." They could not dwell together because their possessions were too great. Many people can leave Ur of the Chaldees together, but trouble begins to happen once they get to Canaan.
I would like to mention one thing in passing. Many places in the Bible symbolize the world: Ur of the Chaldees symbolizes the confusion of the world, Sodom and Gomorrah symbolize the pleasure of sin and the evil of the world, and Egypt symbolizes the fact that the world is under the authority of Satan. These three places symbolize the world, but each symbol has its own unique emphasis.
Lot was able to let go of Ur's chaos. However, he was reluctant to give up something when he reached Canaan. A Christian is the same. After believing in the Lord, he may be unwilling to abandon spiritual fame and position in the work. Formerly, he struggled and strove in the world; now he strives and struggles in the church. Originally, he was struggling for gain in an idolatrous profession. Now he is struggling for gain in the church.
Genesis 13:8-9 says, "And Abram said unto Lot, Let there be no strife, I pray thee, between me and thee, and between my herdmen and thy herdmen; for we be brethren. Is not the whole land before thee? separate thyself, I pray thee, from me: if thou wilt take the left hand, then I will go to the right; or if thou depart to the right hand, then I will go to the left." One reason Christians fall is that they cannot dwell together with other Christians. The moment you realize that you cannot live with other Christians, you will find that you can no longer communicate with them. Whenever you say that Christians are worse than your relatives, you will become afraid to see them. This is evidence that something has gone wrong with your spiritual life. Whenever you find that you cannot get along with other Christians, that is the time when you are being defeated.
All the blame was with Lot. Abraham was the head of the family. Lot was a young man. Lot gained his inheritance through his uncle. He should not have allowed his herdmen to strive with Abraham's herdmen. With Abraham there was no strife; with him, there was always the victory. Lot should have said, "My cattle can starve to death, but I cannot leave my uncle. There is only one family who believes in the Lord in the land of Canaan, how can I depart?" Yet Lot did not think this way. He thought that it was more important for his cattle to have grass to eat than for himself to be fed. He would rather have a breach in fellowship with his uncle than lose his cattle. He would rather renounce his spiritual achievement than allow his possessions to suffer loss. He would rather drop Abraham than one of his cattle. "Since today my uncle opened his mouth and asked me to choose, I should choose the best." So he made his choice.
Genesis 13:10 says, "And Lot lifted up his eyes, and beheld all the plain of Jordan, that it was well watered every where, before the Lord destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah, even as the garden of the Lord, like the land of Egypt, as thou comest unto Zoar." The first thing that stepped in was material goods. Young people are very bold when they first believe in the Lord. Lot left when his uncle left. Later after tasting the flavor of the world, it seemed that the matter of believing in the Lord could be set aside and that fellowship with other Christians need not be taken care of. He "lifted up his eyes, and beheld all the plain of Jordan, that it was well watered." He did not care whether or not Abraham's cattle had grass to feed on. He cared only for his own cattle.
Brothers and sisters, I will not ask how many years you have believed in the Lord. I only want to tell you that today God has set two ways before you. God puts the world before you, and He also spreads the land of Canaan before you. God wants to see how you will choose.
Lot beheld all the plain of Jordan unto Zoar. It was like the garden of the Lord and the land of Egypt. On the one hand, it was like paradise; on the other hand, it was like Egypt. This is the world. Sodom and Gomorrah represent the sinful pleasure of the world. The worldly people seek pleasure in sin.
Genesis 13:11 says, "Then Lot chose him all the plain of Jordan; and Lot journeyed east: and they separated themselves the one from the other." In the world there are blessings, glory, and pleasure. Therefore, Lot chose all the plain of Jordan. Perhaps he thought, "This is somewhat like paradise!" A brother once sinned, and I asked him how he felt. He said that there was a bit of heaven's pleasure in it. After he believed in the Lord, he found out that he could not do this or that. Now that he committed a little sin, he found some pleasure in it. In Lot's eyes, Sodom and Gomorrah were like paradise. I am afraid that what the world shows us is a little like heaven.
However, Sodom and Gomorrah also look somewhat like Egypt. A Christian's conscience enables him to know that there is a distinction. It is like paradise, but it is also like Egypt. There is pleasure in it, but there is also pain. In Egypt the Israelites were slaves to the Egyptians. They were afflicted and scourged by the Egyptians. They were not given straw, but they still had to produce bricks. Therefore, the Israelites wanted to leave Egypt. If you love the world, you may have some amount of pleasure and blessing, and you may feel that the world is like paradise, but your conscience will make you feel uneasy. On the one hand, many Christians feel happy when they sin. On the other hand, their conscience does not give them peace. Oh, it is like paradise in one aspect, and yet it is similar to Egypt in another aspect. On the one hand, there is the pleasure of paradise. On the other hand, there is the affliction of Egypt.
What is the preference of all the young brothers and sisters here today? Is it the world? Or is it pleasure? God does not force you to take a particular way. God wants you to make the choice yourself. Are you an Abraham choosing Canaan? Or are you a Lot preferring the world? Lot did not choose to live in the city; he only chose to be outside the city. All the plain of Jordan was a pleasure, but at the same time, it was a suffering. Where are you living day after day?
The geography of Canaan is as follows: on the east side is the river Euphrates. (This was the river Euphrates which Abraham crossed from Ur of the Chaldees to Canaan.) On the west side is the Jordan River. Canaan lies in between the two rivers. What does the Bible say after Lot chose all the plain of Jordan? "Lot chose him all the plain of Jordan; and Lot journeyed east" (13:11). "Journeyed east" was to move towards Sodom. This was the fall. Since he made this choice, he was able to move east gradually. No one succumbs to sin in one day. No one falls in one day. It is all a matter of losing a little today and a little tomorrow. After a while, one falls into sins. If you choose the plain, it is easy for you to shepherd the flock and look for water because there is no need to climb the mountains, and you can live comfortably. If you desire comfort and do not want hardship, your tent will slowly move eastward. If you love the sinful pleasure of the world, your feet will eventually walk toward the world. If you cannot hold back the first step, you will not be able to hold back the second step. Since your heart leans toward the world, you cannot keep your feet from walking toward the world. Since your eyes are fixed on the world, you cannot safeguard your feet from treading upon the world. If you have chosen the world, you will not be able to keep your feet from walking in the world.
Genesis 13:12 says, "Abram dwelt in the land of Canaan, and Lot dwelt in the cities of the plain." Friends, brothers, and sisters, I do not know what choice you have made today. Abraham yielded the fat and beautiful land to Lot. He remained in the land of Canaan, the land to which God called him, the land that God could bless, and the place where he could receive spiritual edification. What about Lot? He dwelt in the cities of the plain of the Jordan River, the place that he chose. Are we like Abraham, who dwelt in Canaan, the land to which God called him? Or are we like Lot, who lived in the cities of the plain of the river Jordan, which he chose by himself?
Genesis 13:12 says, "Lot dwelt in the cities of the plain, and pitched his tent toward Sodom." Lot thought to himself, "I am a righteous man. If I choose Sodom, I will surely fall and become apostate. However, it may be all right to choose a place outside Sodom. This is merely close to Sodom; it is not in Sodom. It is not good to be completely in Sodom, but perhaps it is all right to be near Sodom." Oh, we may think that it is not good to choose the world, yet perhaps it is permissible to choose something or some place that borders the world. Many Christians are borderline Christians. The world says, "You do not look like one of us." Canaan also says, "You do not look like one of us." It is true that you are only settling close to the world, but you do not live in Canaan either. On which side are you? Once I was in a village, and I asked a soldier why some soldiers so easily change sides. He said that it was because the uniform was gray. The color gray is a mixture of black and white. It is neither white nor black. Many Christians are like this. They do not seem to be on this side or that side. They seem to be in Paradise, yet at the same time in Egypt. They are reluctant to give up God on this side, and they are unwilling to let go of the world on the other side.
Friends, on which side are you today? Are you a gray Christian, one who is neither white nor black? When you encounter people of the world, do they consider you degraded or a twelfth-century man, who is very different from others in the world? The sad thing is that some consider Christians to be very different, yet find that they are just like themselves! This is the saddest remark an outsider can make toward a Christian! Many are not willing to stand up to say that they belong to Christ. Since they are already Christians, they do not consider it to be of any importance to acknowledge it. They cannot let go of Paradise, but they also want Egypt. They go to church on Sunday mornings, and they read the Bible for five minutes every day, thinking that they are Christians. However, they do not have real Christian fellowship. They cannot really give up the cattle. Nevertheless, we must ask God to deliver us out of this way. Otherwise, it will be very dangerous.
You may think that it is all right that you have not entered Sodom, that you have not become apostate, and that you have not declared that you do not believe in the Lord Jesus. However, your tent is gradually moving, and it will move all the way to Sodom. If you take the first step, it is inevitable that you will take the second step. If you have chosen to face Sodom, you will eventually enter the city of Sodom. If you have chosen worldly pleasure, you will inevitably end up in sin and evil. If you have chosen material goods, you will inevitably be defiled. You must say, "God, in what direction are my feet heading toward?" Originally, you were outside the cities of the plain, but your tent can move gradually. I do not know whether your feet have moved or not. I do not know if you have entered Sodom or not. Perhaps the footprints you have left behind will tell whether or not your feet have moved. At first, you can choose to leave other Christians because you value your cattle. But it is inevitable that your footsteps will move further along. Thank God that there are still many Christians today whose tents are in Canaan. May we see that we must repudiate the sin of the world as well as the pleasure of the world.
Genesis 13:13 says, "But the men of Sodom were wicked and sinners before the Lord exceedingly." Did Lot know the condition of Sodom? Lot knew. The Sodomites were exceedingly sinful and wicked before the Lord. Yet step by step Lot moved into Sodom. When your feet move away from other Christians, your tent will also gradually move toward Sodom. What God hates, you will not hate. What God condemns, you will no longer condemn. Your feet will slowly move eastward. There is a saying in the north which goes, "Slow is not something to be afraid of, but standing still is." Standing still is something Satan fears. But being slow easily gives opportunity to Satan. This is how temptation comes in. If we go against our conscience a little today, we will go against it a little more tomorrow. If we cut down a little in reading the Bible today, we will cut down a little more tomorrow. If we pray a few minutes less today, we will pray a few minutes less tomorrow. If we testify a little less today, we will testify a little less tomorrow. By these reductions day after day, we eventually backslide. Satan does not make us cease from going to the meetings, reading the Bible, praying, and testifying all at once. He causes us to backslide gradually, bit by bit and moment by moment. He is extremely patient in dragging us along.
Lot's tent was gradually pitched "toward Sodom." What danger did he run into? In Genesis 14:9-12 four kings went to war with five. "And the vale of Siddim was full of slime pits; and the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah fled, and fell there; and they that remained fled to the mountain. And they took all the goods of Sodom and Gomorrah, and all their victuals, and went their way. And they took Lot, Abram's brother's son, who dwelt in Sodom, and his goods, and departed" (vv. 10-12). This war was between two forces: five kings were defeated by four kings. Lot and his goods were also captured. Lot was captured because he dwelt in Sodom. The last time we saw him, he was still outside the city; but now he was dwelling in the city. The last time someone saw you, you might have still looked like a Christian; but now you have become a citizen of Sodom. The more sins you commit, the closer you are to Sodom. After a while, you will feel that the country is not as good as the city. As time goes on, you will even feel that the plain is not as good as the city.
Lot's residing in Sodom was not without God's warning. When the five kings were defeated by the four kings, Lot was also captured. This was a warning God gave to Lot that Sodom was not the place to be. Today I will ask you most frankly; this is also my word to you. If someone is sick, meets with failures in his business, or has problems in his family, these all are probably warnings from God. The defeat of the five kings by the four kings was God's warning to Lot not to dwell in Sodom. Lot's tent was gradually pitched "toward Sodom." Later he even became a citizen of Sodom. The way Lot moved was a little today, a little tomorrow, a little this time, and a little more the next time. After a few moves, he eventually moved into the city. Therefore, God gave Lot a warning. What about us today? Perhaps some experience the death of their spouse or the death of their son, and perhaps some become sick or meet with business failures. God's warning might be in these happenings. If you are a Christian, yet drawing closer to the world day by day, God will warn you and give you no peace. God gives you His warning so that you will turn back quickly.
It is a pity that many Christians have no feelings; they cannot feel pain. Even though they realize that they are sick, that they have business failures, and that their families have problems, they do not know that these are God's scourging. As a result, they will not turn back. However, if they do not turn back, greater things will happen to them. There was a brother, who though not yet backsliding, was gradually losing his heart. Another brother advised him one day that he should not go on in that manner anymore. He answered, "It does not matter. Mr. So-and-so was very zealous at first, then he gradually lost his heart. This year at the age of sixty, his oldest son who had just graduated from college died suddenly, and the old man has now become zealous again." The one who advised him then said, "God will most certainly accomplish things according to your wish." He said, "I certainly do not want this." Friends, if you belong to God, and if your feet walk toward the sinful world, God will certainly discipline you. If you are sick, and if you experience family problems or business failure, you should inquire of God. If God says that these things have happened to you because you have forsaken Him, you should turn back. Many times if the love of God cannot draw us, He will scourge us with a whip. If God's word cannot touch us, He will press us with adversity. If you belong to the Lord and have committed sin or become backslidden, God will most certainly discipline you. He will not let you go. (Fortunately, Lot was rescued by his uncle when he was captured.)
Lot first dwelt outside of the city and was only close to Sodom. A person may still act like a Christian; he may not have moved into the city, but he is touching Sodom, and the boundary line is still very clear. But what happened at the end? He finally moved into the city. I will illustrate by a story. There was a child whose mother gave him six candies and told him to save them and eat them the next day. The child put the candies in front of him. He wanted to eat them but dared not to. Yet he could not bear the thought of not eating them. What did he do? He put each candy on his lip and licked it with his tongue. In this way, he licked all six candies again and again. At first there were six candies. Later they became smaller one by one. After a while one was gone, and five remained. And then two were gone, and four remained. In the end all six were eaten up. This is the way many Christians fall into sins. They disobey their conscience once, twice, until gradually they seek happiness in the world. Brothers and sisters, please realize that one does not stop sinning after the first sin. Once a person commits one sin, an addiction is built up which will cause him to commit sin again next time. Every time a person commits a sin, there are two results: first, it affords one the pleasure of sin; second, it builds up an addiction to commit more sin. Lot moved into the city gradually. Is it possible for you not to go into the city? At the beginning, we think that we will only commit that much sin and not go into the city. But there is no such thing. If you reach the entrance of Sodom, you will certainly go into the city. Either you do not sin or you sin. If you sin, you will not have the power to restrict yourself to that one sin and avoid committing more sins.
Genesis 19:1 says that Lot sat at the gate of Sodom. At that time the custom of all the countries in the east was not like today's court. These countries judged the civil affairs at the gate of the city. Their judges were those who were elected among the qualified ones in the city, and they served as the elders. As judges they sat at the gate of the city to judge the civil affairs. Lot sat at the gate of the city; he was promoted. He was not only a commoner of Sodom; he became a judge. Lot's position in the world had become higher and more advanced. The way to sin is like this; it only goes faster. At first Lot was only near Sodom. Later on, he dwelt in Sodom, and finally he became a judge in Sodom.
What was the result of Lot's doing such things? His wife died halfway, his daughters committed fornication, and his sons-in-law were burnt by the fire from heaven.
The book of 2 Peter says that Lot was a righteous man (2:7), but he forgot that he had taken residence in Sodom. He even shed tears for those who were evil, but he forgot to shed tears for himself. A person can shed tears for other Christians, but forget to shed tears for himself. Lot saw the great sins in the people of Sodom. He even wanted to help them. But he did not realize that he could not do it. Many Christians are the same way. They have become backslidden, yet they still urge others to believe in the Lord Jesus.
God wanted to destroy Sodom. But He listened to Abraham's prayer, and two angels went to rescue Lot. Genesis 19:12-14 says, "And the men said unto Lot, Hast thou here any besides? son-in-law, and thy sons, and thy daughters, and whatsoever thou hast in the city, bring them out of this place: for we will destroy this place, because the cry of them is waxen great before the face of the Lord; and the Lord hath sent us to destroy it. And Lot went out, and spake unto his sons-in-law, which married his daughters, and said, Up, get you out of this place; for the Lord will destroy this city. But he seemed as one that mocked unto his sons-in-law." Lot had no testimony in front of his sons-in-law. They thought that he mocked them. People may believe if you say that the street is on fire. But no one will believe if you say that there will be fire coming from the heaven. People may still believe if you say that the fire of the gas tank will burn a man. But no one will believe if you say that brimstone will burn a man.
Genesis 19:16 says, "And while he lingered..." These words show a vivid portrait. It seems that Lot wanted to speak to his cows and sheep: "O cows, for you I separated myself from Abraham; for you I chose the plain of Jordan. O sheep, you have been in my place for five years, can I desert you today?" It seems that he looked at his furniture, his treasures, his sheepfold, and his warehouse, and thought, "I thought that I could live in Sodom forever. I wanted to build a larger warehouse to store all my goods and belongings. And then I would speak to my soul and say, `Soul, eat, drink, and be merry.' Am I going to leave all these behind? Am I going to walk away like this today? I cannot suffer losing so many wonderful things!"
Genesis 19:16-17 says, "The men laid hold upon his hand, and upon the hand of his wife, and upon the hand of his two daughters; the Lord being merciful unto him: and they brought him forth, and set him without the city. And it came to pass, when they had brought them forth abroad, that he said, Escape for thy life; look not behind thee, neither stay thou in all the plain; escape to the mountain, lest thou be consumed." These were the instructions to them after the angels led them out of the city. Today you are in the world, and you may not have much money. But you may be as reluctant to part company with the world as Lot. There was an old lady who only had fifteen dollars, and she counted them every day. We may laugh at her for her obsession with money. But when a person with a box full of property deeds inspects them and treasures them, God in the heavens laughs at him in the same way that we laugh at the old lady. In our eyes fifteen dollars means nothing. But in God's eyes, a box full of title deeds also means nothing.
The Lord Jesus is coming soon. The destruction of Sodom is a type of the coming destruction of the world. If all your hopes, whether great or small, are built on this world, one day the fire from heaven will consume them all. One day God will destroy them all. When that day comes, you will not be able to escape even if you want to. There will be no way for you to escape. Whatever you cannot let go of today will be let go in that day. At the time of the rapture, God will only rapture men; He will not rapture any objects. God will only save men; He will not put out fire. Therefore, today we should gladly let things go.
Genesis 19:26 says, "But his wife looked back from behind him, and she became a pillar of salt." Lot's wife followed her husband's desire; she looked back. Even though there was nothing more to see, a glance back at the burning fire would still make her feel better. What she wanted to see indicated what her heart would not let go of. This looking back tells us many things and expresses many inward feelings. This look turned her into a pillar of salt, and she became a serious warning to us even until today! The Lord said, "But on the day in which Lot went out from Sodom, it rained fire and brimstone from heaven and destroyed them all. It will be in the same way on the day in which the Son of Man is revealed...Remember Lot's wife" (Luke 17:29-30, 32). At the coming of the Lord, this world will also be judged, and everything on the earth will be burned. The ones who love the world will be left on earth. They will be like Lot's wife, who remained on earth to become a pillar of salt.
Friends, I am afraid that we have paid too much attention to vain things and have forgotten about the eternal things. We are very busy with social activities, with our children's education, and with our businesses. It is right to educate our children and take care of our business. But the eternal things need our attention too. Friends, particularly young friends, your way may still be long. If the Lord still delays, let us choose today the way which we should take. Let us pay attention today to what is valuable, what is coming from God, and what will last to eternity. Let us hope that our glory is not today, that we will learn to draw near to God, and that we will go on properly in the way ahead.
The detailed catalog from the Gospel Book Room has already been published. Anyone who wants it may request it by mail, and we will send it to you right away.
The Questions on the Gospel will not be published for a while. The first edition of The Little Flock hymnal has already been sold out, and there is no definite date for the second edition. Thank you for your many requests. Hopefully, this will serve as our notification concerning this matter.
