The Bible says that Lot and his family LINGERED in Sodom when called out by God. (Gen 19 v 16)
Even in the short glimpse of this place we get in the Bible it wouldn't be a place I would want to visit let alone stay. It seems very dangerous in so many ways. But even after God performs a miracle to see his daughters saved from possible rape, this guy instead of fleeing with God's messengers he LINGERS!
This is defined as: To be slow in leaving, especially out of reluctance.
On first read it seems bamboosiling to me that this horrible place such a hold on Lot and his family. Why the heck would he want to stay there!
Then I am confroned with the truth about myself.
Even having been confronted and captured by God's amazing, uncompromising, gift of Grace. Which has pronounced me innocent and rightious before God I still choose to hang around sin.
Although by God's grace I have been freed from my slavery to sin and have the power of the Holy Spirit with me to overcome it. I choose to LINGER in and around it.
I hang around my need for afirmation which, once received, can feed my pride.
I dwell on others faults and failings and can harm them with gossip.
I meditate on my own weaknesses birthing anger deep inside as a defence mechanism.
If I linger too long in the wrong place the tentaticles of sin can seem to stretch towards me.
So I try to listen to Paul's advice to the church at Philippi:
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, THINK about these things. - Phil 4 v 8
Today I choose where to linger - with Christ!
Monday, July 18, 2011
Choosing where you Linger
Posted by Billy Ritchie at 7:31 am
Labels: Bible Reading, grace
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2 comments:
challenging thoughts Pastor Billy, thanks for sharing!
Thank you for this post...it is sometimes easy to linger in a place that is familiar and comfortable and leap into the unknown. I know I have seen that over and over in my own life when I want to cling to something familiar or linger in perceived comfort than to go where it is best.
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