The NT speaks of Lot in three ways:
1. Lot Leaving Sodom the same day it was destroyed Luke 17:9
2. Lot's wife Luke 17:32
3. Lot's deliverance from Sodom in that he walked away from the filthy conversation of the wicked sodomites 2 Peter 2:7
What say we were not provided with the above NT references of Lot? We removed them totally from the Holy Writ altogether, only drawing on the Old Testament record for his character and position before God.
Firstly, would we draw to the same conclusion as Jesus & Paul? Could you find in Lots life a measure of worth, faith, love and could we see the fear of God in him?
I believe given the time I could demonstrate to you all the above, and more in Lots life...but what would this prove here? And how would it change us? A person is known by their actions, and if this is true, Jesus and Paul both agreed with Lot's decision to leave Sodom as being right-eous.
Do you also agree?
If your answer is yes, then you understand the righteousness imputed by the Father upon his faithful servant.
If you say no, you would be likened to his wife and your judgements preserved in salt, awaiting the righteous Judge and his Word.
We must be careful of Rom 1:29,30,31,32..and acknowledge Lot was not amongst this group...he actually came out from among them and was seperate...not as seperate as we may like, but nonetheless seperate.
I am mindful of speaking of a man who I may soon live with for eternity, and while this reality escapes some, for me the realisation of Lot one day sitting next to me reading these posts is rather overwhelming.
Imagine if I were speaking about the lives of Aspen, Groundzero or Jigglyfly etc?
How would you want me to respect your life in this forum? its failings and acts of faith? If our lives were written within the Holy Word knowing they were given for our learning? Rom 15:4
What comfort and hope would you want me to gain from your life, if I were studying you and your behavoiurs?
Insight
Firstly, doesn't it strike you as interesting that Jesus said the same day that Lot left Sodom? Jesus never called Lot righteous for leaving Sodom. In fact, from what I read, it seems that Lot was the only person who was standing in the way of God's judgement falling on the cities!
Paul never mentions Lot, Peter does. He doesn't say anything about Lot leaving, other than the fact God delivered him from those cities right before judgement fell as a proof that God can not only protect the righteous, but judge the wicked!
2Pe 2:6 And turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrha into ashes condemned them with an overthrow, making them an ensample unto those that after should live ungodly;
2Pe 2:7 And delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked:
2Pe 2:8 (For that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds;)
2Pe 2:9 The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished:
Here alone do we find any mention of Lot being just/righteous. Nowhere do we find him condemned or reprimanded.
Here are some verses that can be readily associated with Lot:
Eze 22:30 And I sought for a man among them, that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it: but I found none.
Some of you are probably thinking, what in the world? Let me explain. Jesus said that the same day Lot left Sodom, judgement fell. Imagine how much sooner it could have come if he wasn't there? The very fact he was there gave them a few hours to flee to the mountains to save themselves. As we all know, Lot requested God to go to Zoar instead of the mountains. Have a look at geography, and think about it. Was Lot really scared? The mountains were closer and were a popular hideout in times of trouble. They were also much higher. Zoar not only was close to the same state as Sodom, but it was in the plain, much further away from the city than the mountains were! Could have been that Lot was interceding for Zoar? Notice in brackets what he say, "it is but a little one." This is what makes Lot such an incredible man to me. Though just an ordinary man, he did some amazing things. For years he underwent torture in his soul from the sin surrounding him, and when judgement was coming, he didn't just leave them, though they were so nasty to him, he tried his hardest to somehow save at least some of them. He stood in the gap until it became too big for just him to fill.
Gen 19:20 Behold now, this city is near to flee unto, and it is a little one: Oh, let me escape thither, (is it not a little one?) and my soul shall live.
Gen 19:21 And he said unto him, See, I have accepted thee concerning this thing also, that I will not overthrow this city,
for the which thou hast spoken.
More coming on this subject