In this life we will always be faced with choices and what we choose will determine our future. That is why we need to know the way and process of choosing accurately according to the Word of God so that as believers, we can choose accurately, whatever choices are presented to us. Let’s us look at these two men.
Abram and Lot were relatives, Abram was Lot’s uncle. But even though they were related, they had a different kind of heart and life. That’s why they could not unite. The way they looked and chose was different, and in the end they also received different consequences.
Lot had lived a process of life that was wrong and ended with pain. Abram lived a right life and ended with happiness. Lot’s life process is the usual process that is lived by most people, whereas the life of Abram is a process that should be lived by believers. Let us learn from both of them:
Lot’s process:
“Lot looked around and saw that the whole Jordan Valley, all the way to Zoar, had plenty of water, like the Garden of the LORD or like the land of Egypt. (This was before the LORD had destroyed the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah.) So Lot chose the whole Jordan Valley for himself and moved away toward the east. That is how the two men parted. Abram stayed in the land of Canaan, and Lot settled among the cities in the valley and camped near Sodom, whose people were wicked and sinned against the LORD” (Genesis 13:10-13, TEV).
1. Directing his gaze in all directions/places.
2. Choosing what is considered good from what has been seen.
- Often vague and unclear. Lot saw Sodom like the garden of the Lord, but also like the land of Egypt (the symbol of the world).
- This vagueness was caused because he did not know the background and future of what was seen. Background of Sodom was very wicked and sinned against the Lord, and its future was to be destroyed by God. Lot saw Sodom before it was destroyed by God.
3. Living what has been chosen.
- After choosing the option, Lot departed to pursue what had been chosen.
- If our view already leads to one place, usually we will choose it. And when we have chosen the option, usually we will try to get it.
4. Settling in the choice.
- After trying to get what he had chosen, ultimately Lot settled in Sodom.
5. Accept the consequences according to the choice.
- Finally, Lot accepted the consequences of his choice. Sodom was destroyed, his wife became a pillar of salt, and he had intercourse with his two daughter. What was gained from the result of looking eventually also destroyed and his family fell apart.
Abram’s process:
“After Lot had left, the LORD said to Abram, “From where you are, look carefully in all directions. I am going to give you and your descendants all the land that you see, and it will be yours forever. I am going to give you so many descendants that no one will be able to count them all; it would be as easy to count all the specks of dust on earth! Now, go and look over the whole land, because I am going to give it all to you.” So Abram moved his camp and settled near the sacred trees of Mamre at Hebron, and there he built an altar to the LORD” (Genesis 13:14-18 ).
1. Receiving the Word from God.
The life of believers should always start from the Word. “In the beginning was the Word” (John 1:1).
2. Directing his gaze only toward the direction/place as spoken by the Lord.
We do not have to direct our view in all directions/places. When we only turn our gaze toward the direction/place that God says, we will be a focus in life. Concentrate all our lives just to see what He says.
3. Moving the camp to what has been seen.
After our focus is clear, we can move our whole being to the place where God wants us to be. After seeing clearly what God had said, Abram moved his tent to that place.
4. Settling in what has been seen.
Since Abram saw and believed what He said, and moved his entire life to the place that He said, he also settled there. He continued to focus and consistent there.
5. Accept all that has been seen.What we have heard, seen, believed, and applied diligently, will eventually be given by the Lord Himself to us. That’s what happened to Abram.
The way and process of choosing accurately according to the Word of God will apply in all areas of our lives, whether in school, work, business, looking for a life partner, and so forth.
Also read: The Consequences of Past Trauma that was not Resolved.
