APOLOGY FOR SODOM?

APOLOGY FOR SODOM?

Matt. 11:23 And, who are exalted to heaven, will be brought down to Hades; for if the mighty works which were done in you had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day.

Everyone thinks that Sodom was a special case in the Bible. Actually, The Lord Himself said that Capernaum was more vile than Sodom. If The Lord is no respecter of persons, at the end of the day, all cities will have to come under the same evaluation that Sodom did. If not, The Lord would owe Sodom one big apology. You see The Lord is patient and not willing for man to perish, He is waiting for all of His sons and daughters to come out of the world, out of Sodom. When that day finally comes, each city will fall under the scrutiny of The Lord. Our God is gracious, He is also holy and just. The great and terrible day of The Lord draws near. Here is Martin Luther dealing with the same issue five hundred years ago.

“Then the LORD rained down burning sulfur on Sodom and Gomorrah—from the LORD out of the heavens. Thus he overthrew those cities and the entire plain, including all those living in the cities—and also the vegetation in the land.Genesis 19:24–25
The story of Sodom and Gomorrah shows God’s fierce anger being poured out on sinful people. Reflecting and meditating on this story is an unsettling experience. That’s why I am deeply moved whenever I read or speak about it. Even though I am often furious at wicked people who refuse to change their ways, the terrible suffering and agony that took place at Sodom upsets me. I also feel the mental anguish that Abraham suffered when he interceded with God. Though the wicked people of Sodom refused to change, Abraham sincerely hoped that disaster wouldn’t fall on them. Today, some people want to de-emphasize God’s commands. They think that people should be treated only with love and tolerance and shouldn’t be frightened by examples of God’s anger. Paul says quite the opposite. In the letter to the Corinthians, he tells many stories about God’s anger against sinners. Then he states, “Now these things occurred as examples to keep us from setting our hearts on evil things as they did” (1 Corinthians 10:6).”

Several years ago Katrina erupted this discussion about the judgement of God. I will not answer that question in this blog but all sin requires judgment for God to be just. It is either judged at Calvary by faith or we suffer the consequences of our own sins. None of the cities today are without sin. There is flagrant immorality of every stripe in all of our cities. Lying, stealing, fornication, hatred, seditions against pastoral leadership; need I say more? I don’t think Sodom will be hearing any apologies, I think all have sinned and the wages of sin are about to be paid. Thank The Lord that His mercy endures forever and no one who calls upon His name will be turned away.