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Here, World, Take My Children - part 3 of 3 Application Almost anyone would condemn Lot for offering his daughters to that perverted mob, no matter the custom that provoked it. But parents, including Christians, are doing the same thing today saying, "Here, world, take my children." Customs, social, business, and peer pressure are more important than purity to the modern parent (Titus 1:15). Parents allow their children to listen to any kind of godless music and view every kind of filth on the televisions screen. Every kind of immodest and inappropriate dress is allowed because it is stylish. Parents do not want to be too strict or called fanatics by either their children or their friends so there are few restraints concerning dates, friends, habits, entertainment, etc. Again and again their practice says, "Here world, take my children!" Fathers and mothers are too busy or detached to have family devotions and communication with their children. There is little desire or opportunity to manifest parental love in "training up a child in the way he should go (Prov. 22:6)." Here, world, take my children! Most parents have no place for a Bible believing church in their family schedule where salvation and holy living are taught. Some who do attend a good church will leave when they are offended at some Bible standard or strong message. Here world, take my children. Parents send their children to school where evolution, free sex, and "one worldism" are taught or even to a prominent religious school where there are no standards and little restraint. The bribe is a better job, a bigger church, an education which will conform you to the world. Here, world, take my children. If discipline is necessary in a good Christian school, instead of thanking the leaders for their love and concern for the child, some parents are furious and pull the child out of the school. What does this do to the child? It can only cause weakness of character for a lifetime! Here, world, take my children. Modern day Lots are losing their wives and children to materialism and immorality. They prefer a well watered plain that looks like Egypt (the world). They make decisions based on material gain and social custom instead of seeking first the kingdom of God. They choose a good place to water their cows, even if it destroys their children. Here, world, take my children. I don't have the time, dedication, character, or will to rear them for God. Contrast Instead of, "Here, world, take my children," you could say, "Here Lord, take my children." God said of Abraham, "I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the Lord . . ." (Gen. 18:19). No wonder he is called the "friend of God." Heb. 11 repeats, "by faith Abraham . . . " three times. It is never said, "by faith Lot pitched his tent," or "by faith he sat in the gate." Abraham walked by faith, Lot by sight. Abraham was a man of worship and prayer. No altar of Lot is mentioned, and his only recorded prayer is, "Let me escape." Abraham "looked for a city . . . whose builder and maker is God" (Heb. 11:10). Lot went to a city built by wicked men and destroyed by God. The "strife" in Gen. 13 manifested Abraham's faith and generosity, but Lot's greed and worldliness. Abraham could see the "well watered plain" as well as Lot, but with a "single eye" and purified affections, he let God make his choice. Lot with double vision (James 1:8) tried to serve God and mammon and got a vexed soul and a vain life. Abraham is a hero of the faith; Lot was saved (II Pet. 2:6-8) "yet so as by fire." They started together on their course but reached different goals. Abraham was favored and his family blessed because he chose, like Noah and Enoch, to walk with God instead of the wicked world's system. Lot was not content with the Lord and tried to find contentment in the world, but his nest was abruptly broken up and he lost his family. Abraham taught Isaac in a tent away from the system, saying, "Here Lord, take my life and my children." The lines fell to him in pleasant places. Lot, in Sodom, taught his children saying, "Here, world, take my children." Who made the right choice? What choice will you make? "Here Lord, take my life and my children. –Amen” -Pr. S. Chad Ross Published with permission from William W. Hall, D.D. April Newsletter 2006 | Fullness of Ministry | Here, World, Take My Children part 3 of 3 Pastor's Journal April 2005 | Said and Saying | Exaltation - Whose? part 1 of 3 |
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