Genesis 18:23 And Abraham drew near, and said, Wilt thou also destroy the righteous with the wicked? 24 Peradventure there be fifty righteous within the city: wilt thou also destroy and not spare the place for the fifty righteous that are therein? 26 And the Lord said, If I find in Sodom fifty righteous within the city, then I will spare all the place for their sakes.
This passage of scripture teaches us beyond the shadow of a doubt, that those who live in harmony with God are channels through which many of His blessings flow out to the counties, neighborhoods, and countries where they dwell. In this instance the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah were steeped in vices and wickedness of no ordinary character, and it was then determined in the courts of heaven that the inhabitants thereof should be blotted from the face of the earth. However, there was one family, in those cities which some estimates have put at between five hundred thousand to a million, who were god-fearing, and who did not indulge in the prevailing sins that had enveloped the entire populace. Let's read:
Genesis 19:4 "The men of Sodom, compassed the house round, both old and young, all the people from every quarter: 5 And they called unto Lot, and said unto him, Where are the men which came in to thee this night? bring them out unto us, that we may know them. 6 And Lot went out at the door unto them, and shut the door after him, 7 And said, I pray you, brethren, do not so wickedly. 9 And they said, Stand back. And they said again, This one fellow came in to sojourn, and he will needs be a judge: now will we deal worse with thee, than with them.
Thus as Abraham pleaded with God to save the twin cities, a very important and sacred truth about the mercies of God began to emerge, for it was then revealed that The God of heaven indeed takes no pleasure in the death of the wicked, and will do everything He can to stave off impending doom. In the conversation with Abraham He disclosed the fact that many countries and cities on this planet are spared severe judgments because of the presence of a few faithful followers of God in those areas, and as Abraham continued to intercede he found that God was willing to let hundreds of thousands of people continue to live in sin, if only He could find at least ten righteous people there.
This sacred truth about the loving character of God sheds great light on current developments taking place in the earth, and although iniquity and bloodshed has increased exponentially across the land, yet it may seem to the casual observer that God is not doing anything about it, and thus the irreverent query is often made, "Where is God in all this?". The fact is that He is in the same place where He has always been, sitting on the throne, and ruling with mercy and tenderness as He always has. It is because of His mercies that we are not consumed, and He hates to bring judgments that will wipe out millions, sending them into Christless graves to await the final retribution. Let's read:
Ezekiel 33:11 Say unto them, As I live, saith the Lord God, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die"....
But this forbearance of God in granting collateral blessings to the ungodly because of the presence of His people in the earth, is often mistaken as weakness on His part, and instead of repenting and turning to Him, people usually go the opposite route by delving deeper into sin. In other words, His mercies are mistaken for license, and instead of humble gratitude for His forbearance, rebellion and high-handed sin is encouraged, and in some cases even legalized. Let's read:
Ecclesiastes 8:11 Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil.
However, the fact that the Bible teaches the doctrine of collateral blessings, lays upon us as Christians, a very serious responsibility to live in harmony with the laws and principles of God's kingdom, not only that it may go well with us and our children, but that it will also go well with those whom we seek to save, who have not yet come to a knowledge of The True and Living God. We therefore end with a passage of scripture which encourages us to step up to the plate by honoring God in our daily lives, so that those whom we seek to reach with His grace, may have a living testimony before their eyes of the goodness and love of God towards the human family. Let's read:
Philippians 2:12 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. 13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure. 14 Do all things without murmurings and disputings: 15 That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world.
May God add His blessing to the study and practice of His word. "Good night" and God bless!