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that it might be spared； urging that this was but a small request； and his
desire was granted。 The Lord assured him； 〃I have accepted thee concerning
this thing also； that I will not overthrow this city； for the which thou
hast spoken。〃 Oh； how great the mercy of God toward His erring creatures！
Again the solemn command was given to hasten； for the fiery storm would be
delayed but little longer。 But one of the fugitives ventured to cast a look
backward to the doomed city； and she became a monument of God's judgment。 If
Lot himself had manifested no hesitancy to obey the angels' warning； but had
earnestly fled toward the mountains； without one word of pleading or
remonstrance； his wife also would have made her escape。 The influence of his
example would have saved her from the sin that sealed her doom。 But his
hesitancy and delay caused her to lightly regard the divine warning。 While
her body was upon the plain； her heart clung to Sodom； and she perished with
it。 She rebelled against God because His judgments involved her possessions
and her children in the ruin。 Although so greatly favored in being called
out from the wicked city； she felt that she was severely dealt with； because
the wealth that it had taken years to accumulate must be left to
destruction。 Instead of thankfully accepting deliverance； she presumptuously
looked back to desire the life of those who had rejected the divine warning。
Her sin showed her
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to be unworthy of life； for the preservation of which she felt so little
gratitude。
We should beware of treating lightly God's gracious provisions for our
salvation。 There are Christians who say； 〃I do not care to be saved unless
my companion and children are saved with me。〃 They feel that heaven would
not be heaven to them without the presence of those who are so dear。 But
have those who cherish this feeling a right conception of their own relation
to God； in view of His great goodness and mercy toward them？ Have they
forgotten that they are bound by the strongest ties of love and honor and
loyalty to the service of their Creator and Redeemer？ The invitations of
mercy are addressed to all； and because our friends reject the Saviour's
pleading love； shall we also turn away？ The redemption of the soul is
precious。 Christ has paid an infinite price for our salvation； and no one
who appreciates the value of this great sacrifice or the worth of the soul
will despise God's offered mercy because others choose to do so。 The very
fact that others are ignoring His just claims should arouse us to greater
diligence； that we may honor God ourselves； and lead all whom we can
influence； to accept His love。
〃The sun was risen upon the earth when Lot entered into Zoar。〃 The bright
rays of the morning seemed to speak only prosperity and peace to the cities
of the plain。 The stir of active life began in the streets； men were going
their various ways； intent on the business or the pleasures of the day。 The
sons…in law of Lot were making merry at the fears and warnings of the
weak…minded old man。 Suddenly and unexpectedly as would be a thunder peal
from an unclouded sky； the tempest broke。 The Lord rained brimstone and fire
out of heaven upon the cities and the fruitful plain； its palaces and
temples； costly dwellings； gardens and vineyards； and the gay；
pleasure…seeking throngs that only the night before had insulted the
messengers of heavenall were consumed。 The smoke of the conflagration went
up like the smoke of a great furnace。 And the fair vale of Siddim became a
desolation； a place never to be built up or inhabiteda witness to all
generations of the certainty of God's judgments upon transgression。
The flames that consumed the cities of the plain shed their warning light
down even to our time。 We are taught the fearful and solemn lesson that
while God's mercy bears long with the transgressor； there is a limit beyond
which men may not go on in
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sin。 When that limit is reached； then the offers of mercy are withdrawn； and
the ministration of judgment begins。
The Redeemer of the world declares that there are greater sins than that for
which Sodom and Gomorrah were destroyed。 Those who hear the gospel
invitation calling sinners to repentance； and heed it not； are more guilty
before God than were the dwellers in the vale of Siddim。 And still greater
sin is theirs who profess to know God and to keep His commandments； yet who
deny Christ in their character and their daily life。 In the light of the
Saviour's warning； the fate of Sodom is a solemn admonition； not merely to
those who are guilty of outbreaking sin； but to all who are trifling with
Heaven…sent light and privileges。
Said the True Witness to the church at Ephesus： 〃I have somewhat against
thee； because thou hast left thy first love。 Remember therefore from whence
thou art fallen； and repent； and do the first works； or else I will come
unto thee quickly； and will remove thy candlestick out of his place； except
thou repent。〃 Revelation 2：4；5。 The Saviour watches for a response to His
offers of love and forgiveness； with a more tender compassion than that
which moves the heart of an earthly parent to forgive a wayward； suffering
son。 He cries after the wanderer； 〃Return unto Me； and I will return unto
you。〃 Malachi 3：7。 But if the erring one persistently refuses to heed the
voice that calls him with pitying； tender love； he will at last be left in
darkness。 The heart that has long slighted God's mercy； becomes hardened in
sin； and is no longer susceptible to the influence of the grace of God。
Fearful will be the doom of that soul of whom the pleading Saviour shall
finally declare； he 〃is joined to idols： let him alone。〃 Hosea 4：17。 It will
be more tolerable in the day of judgment for the cities of the plain than
for those who have known the love of Christ； and yet have turned away to
choose the pleasures of a world of sin。
You who are slighting the offers of mercy； think of the long array of
figures accumulating against you in the books of heaven； for there is a
record kept of the impieties of nations； of families； of individuals。 God
may bear long while the account goes on； and calls to repentance and offers
of pardon may be given； yet a time will come when the account will be full；
when the soul's decision has been made； when by his own choice man's destiny
has been fixed。 Then the signal will be given for judgment to be executed。
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There is cause for alarm in the condition of the religious world today。
God's mercy has been trifled with。 The multitudes make void the law of
Jehovah； 〃teaching for doctrines the commandments of men。〃 Matthew 15：9。
Infidelity prevails in many of the churches in our land； not infidelity in
its broadest sensean open denial of the Biblebut an infidelity that is
robed in the garb of Christianity； while it is undermining faith in the
Bible as a revelation from God。 Fervent devotion and vital piety have given
place to hollow formalism。 As the result； apostasy and sensualism prevail。
Christ declared； 〃As it was in the days of Lot； 。 。 。 even thus shall it b