Blurred Vision

Genesis 13:1-13, (10)

Here we see Abram and his nephew Lot traveling together, with all their goods. They came upon the plain of Jordan. They had to come to an agreement to see who would settle where. Abram was the oldest and had the right to make the first choice. In this instance, Abram set an example in how to respond with a family situation. So, to keep from a possible family argument, he gave Lot the first choice. He let Lot have the best option, although it implied not getting what he wanted. Abram put family harmony before his own wants. Sometimes we may need to act in this way to keep the peace.
 

• Matthew 5:9, Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.
•  Hebrews 12:14, Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord: 

 
Abram and Lot's herdsmen could have worked together. They were surrounded by people that were not so friendly, downright hostile. But what did they do? They let trivial issues come between them. It is ironic how similar situations occur today. Christians will argue and bicker amongst themselves, and all the while the devil is working all around them, stirring up the embers.
 
Disagreements and arguments among Christians can harm cooperative attitude, trust, and harmony, which are the basis for good human relations. They can hamper progress toward significant objectives. They can likewise make us narcissistic, self-centered, as opposed to operating with love in our hearts. Jesus prayed for His followers in His final prayer. He asked God the rather that we all be 'one'. (John 17:20-26)
 
 
How did Lot respond? How would we respond in a similar situation?
 
 
We should look deeper than what is on the surface.
Lot saw only material attraction
Looked at immediate and alternate attraction
Lot saw only himself
Selfish interests
 
We should look at what we fail to see.
Lot failed to see sinfulness of Sodom (v 13)
Lot failed to see downward pull of sin
He looked toward Sodom (v 10)
He pitched his tent toward Sodom (v 12)
Lot dwelt in Sodom (Ch 14)
 
Lot's character was shown by the choices he made. He took the best though it meant living near a city of sin. He became greedy and did not do what would have been fair. Do we choose what we think is best and give no thought for others? Have we stopped making choices in the direction of God, and only make choices for ourselves? Have we not learned that our choices, without God, leads in the wrong direction?
 
 
Now to Genesis 19:15-29, (26)
 
Here we learn that God sent two angels to rescue Lot.
 
We should be careful not to lose out spiritual vision.
Lot failed to have his vision checked (values):
Uncorrected worldly involvements lead to spiritual blindness
Slipping into ungodly values comes gradually
 
Lot lost his spiritual vision:
He became blind to genuine happiness
He became blind to his character
He became willing to give up his daughter
He became blind to the truth of God's \'(lord
He was warned, he lingered, forced to leave
He became blind to human decency
 
We should get a spiritual vision checkup.

• 1 Corinthians 2:9, But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.
• Isaiah 64:4, For since the beginning of the world men have not heard, nor perceived by the ear, neither hath the eye seen, O God, beside thee, what he hath prepared for him that waiteth for him.

 
Trying to do good (actions, self, traditions) can lead to spiritually bad vision. We need to continually seek the guidance and direction from the spiritual eye doctor.

• Deuteronomy 4:29, But if from thence thou shalt seek the LORD thy God, thou shalt find [him], if thou seek him with all thy heart and with all thy soul.
• 1 Chronicles 16:11, Seek the LORD and his strength, seek his face continually.
  
• 2 Chronicles 7:14, If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
  
• Job 5:8, I would seek unto God, and unto God would I commit my cause:
  
• Psalms 9:10, And they that know thy name will put their trust in thee: for thou, LORD, hast not forsaken them that seek thee.
  
• Psalms 14:2, The LORD looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see i/there were any that did understand, [and} seek God.
  
• Psalms 34:10, The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger: but they that seek the LORD shall not want any good [thing].
  
• Psalms 40:16, Let all those that seek thee rejoice and be glad in thee: let such as was thy salvation say continually, The LORD be magnified.
  
• Psalms 63:1, (A Psalm of David, when he was in the wilderness of Judah.) 0 God, thou [art] my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is;
  
• Psalms 119:2, Blessed [are] they that keep his testimonies, [and that} seek him with the whole heart.
  
• Psalms 119:10, With my whole heart have I sought thee: 0 let me not wander. From thy commandments.
  
• Proverbs 8:17, I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me.
  
• Isaiah 55:6-7, Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near:
  
• Jeremiah 29:12-14, Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you.
  
• Jeremiah 29:13, And ye shall seek me, and find [me], when ye shall search for me with all your heart.
  
• Lamentations 3:25, The LORD [is] good unto them that wait for him, to the soul [that] seeketh him.
  
• Matthew 6:33, But seek ye first the kingdom of ‘God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
  
• Matthew 7:7-8, Ask, and ii shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:
  
• Acts 17:26-27, And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation;
  
• Hebrews 11:6, But without faith [it is] impossible to please [him]: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
  
• James 4:8, Draw nigh lo God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse [your] hands, [ye] sinners; and purify [your] hearts, [ye] double minded.

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