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together with unbelievers.” ‘‘Walk in love.” ' Abram is an illustration of the New Testament injunction and a proof that the Old Testament saints knew the joy of a saintly, unselfish, separated life. Lot chose without reference to God. There was no prayer, no confession, no conscious lack of wisdom. He saw a splendid valley and used a pious phrase “ Like the garden of the Lord.” He recognized a snap when he saw it. No doubt he thought Abram was an old fogy. He was a smart young man. How could there be any question as to what choice to make? “ There is a way which seemeth good unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.” He chose without reference to spirit ual interests; no thought of his soul, or of his family; as so many people choose homes and businesses. (Ezek. 16:49, 50). He chose without reference to Abram who was God’s leader and God’s chosen one. He owed all he had to him, but willingly ignored it. He chose without reference to etern ity. He was short-sighted. He had no spiritual vision. God had set apart that valley for judgment. The greatest investment is the one which pays the largest interest for the longest time. Lot lost out. He lost companionship with Abram, fellowship with God, respect of his family and neighbors, his property and his own self-respect. What kind of a choice arp you mak ing? Look at Moses choice, (Heb. 11: 24-28); Paul’s choice, (Phil. 3rd ch.); Christ, who for the joy that was set before Him, endured the cross, (Heb. 12 : 2 ). Follow Lot to Sodom, in Sodom, out of Sodom. Let the curtain fall and say “ Poor Lot, he was leader of a bad lot, and pity those who cast in their lot with this lot.”
PRACTICAL POINTS. (1) Envy and strife lead early to sep aration. (2) The surrender of self promotes peace. (3) Sodom was fair to look upon, but it was fatal to live in. (4) Lot’s prosperity came through the presence of Abram, and his advers ity came through his avarice. (5) Companionship has much to do in moulding character. (6) Abram walked with God. (7) Lot lacked an altar and so lost out. (8) Lot denied God and dragged his family to the depths. (9) Lot thought himself smart, but he smarted for his thought! Willingness to Help A young soldier boy lay in the hos pital. The surgeon had just amputated his arm. When he awoke from the anaesthetic the nurse LESSON said, “ I am sorry JLLUSTRA- we had to take off TIONS your arm.” He said, “ You did not take it, I gave it.” We need more of this spirit of willingness. A pastor tells of a woman who was a member of his church, “ She wasn’t very handsome to look at” he said, “ I don’t suppose she ever wore a tube skirt or puffed hair, but she was a Madonna of the Wash Tub. There never was a little baby, a man, or a woman, in all the parish that she knew about, that she would not visit or sit up half the night with if they were sick. She would divide her last loaf of bread with the needy. She is one of the real queens in this world.” Abraham Sacrificed to Help. He gave Lot his choice of the land when all was promised to him. In the city of Marseilles, a plague was spreading. Death was everywhere. The physicians were baffled. In one of their councils it was decided that a
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