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"as Sodom and Gomorrah, and the cities around them in a similar manner to these, having given themselves over to sexual immorality and gone after strange flesh, are set forth as an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire." (Jude 7, NKJV)

Jude began his book to encourage and exhort the saints "concerning our common salvation"(v.3). He then felt compelled by the Holy Spirit to warn the church "to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints"(v.3). False teachers and false teaching had crept into the church (v.4).

One of the false teachings was called “antinomianism.” The word literally means “against the law.” Grace for some Christians meant “they were no longer bound to observe the law.” Certainly the law never saved anyone. Certainly the law was meant to be a teacher to bring us to Christ. But some Christians believed they were free in Christ to commit any kind of sinful act free from judgment. These ungodly teachers turned "the grace of our God into lewdness and deny the only Lord God and our Lord Jesus Christ"(v.4). God's grace became a license to sin.

Jude gives three examples of corporate apostasy in verses 5-7. The first example was the failure of the children of Israel to enter into the land because of rebellion and unbelief. The second example was the failure of the angels in heaven who defied God's authority. Now Jude gives the example of the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah.

Sodom and Gomorrah

God judged and ultimately destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah because of the ungodly conduct of its citizens. The story of Sodom and Gomorrah, which took place about 450 years after the flood of Noah, is found in Genesis chapter 18.

Abraham’s Role

The Lord included Abraham in His plan to judge the wicked cities. Three heavenly visitors came to Abraham's tent. Two were angels and one was the pre-incarnate Jesus Christ.

Abraham discovered God's plan to judge the city and began to deal with God about the city's fate. Abraham wondered if there were enough righteous people in the city, if God spare the city. After some wheeling and dealing, Abraham asked the Lord, if He would spare the city if there were ten righteous people in the city. The Lord agreed. But there were not even ten righteous people in the city.

In this story we have a wonderful example of what we can be in our own world. Like Abraham we can be intercessors to the Lord, pleading for the lives of our loved ones.

Abraham had a love for Lot--even though his nephew was in Sodom. In spite of Lot’s worldliness Abraham pled, not so much for the grace of God but the justice of God. How can God destroy the righteous with the wicked? Certainly on Calvary's cross God punished the Righteous One, Jesus, instead of the wicked! With persistence and tenderness Abraham interceded for Sodom.

Lot’s Role

2 Peter 2:7 says, “and delivered righteous Lot, who was oppressed by the filthy conduct of the wicked.” Peter referred to Lot as 'righteous' (legally innocent)! What a powerful statement regarding a man whose life was characterized by compromise, unbelief, and carnality. Lot had relationship with God but not fellowship. He was saved "yet as by fire" (1Cor.3:14-15).

Lot started on the road to carnality and compromise when he lifted up his eyes and choose the well-watered land (Genesis 13:10). He started living by sight, rather than faith.

Lot pitched his tent toward Sodom, and then wound up living there! For the first time he lived in a house, with no mention of a family altar.

When the angels showed up to rescue Lot, the men of the city tried to sexually assault the angelic visitors. Lot offered his own daughters as substitutes! He had lost sight of spiritual standards!

The Lord rescued Lot for Abraham's sake, perhaps even for Lot's sake. Sadly, Lot's life ended in tragedy in a dark cave with two daughters. His incestuous relationship with his daughters produced the Ammonites and the Moabites. They became enemies of Israel for centuries.

The Contrast between Abraham and Lot

One of the interesting things about Genesis 18,19 are the contrasts between Abraham and Lot. Here are some of them:

· The Lord has a message of joy for Abraham and Sarah (they will have a son). The angels give a message of judgment to Lot.

· Abraham is visited in the daylight. Lot in the night.

· Abraham was at a tent door, Lot at the city gates.

· Abraham had power with God--but Lot didn't even have influence with his own family.

· Abraham watched as Sodom was destroyed. Lot lost everything. Only his life was spared.

· Abraham brought the world blessing, but Lot brought trouble into the world

The Problem of Lust

The people of Sodom and Gomorrah had “given themselves over to sexual immorality.”

They did not occasionally sin but were committed to a 'lifestyle' of immorality. The Greek verb is intensive, and means "to indulge in excessive immorality." In other words, sex was how they defined their life and their lifestyle.

Our identity is based on a number of different factors, including sexuality. We live in a culture with a sexual obsession. How does a preference for the same sex become so powerful? Some have suggested that sexuality has the power to form identity like nothing else. When our desires are sinful or shameful we fight that shame by saying, “It isn't fair that I'm judged for something I am.” Internal shame and cultural disapproval are not enough to excuse, or diminish sexual cravings.

Strange Flesh

In Jude verse 7, the words, "strange flesh" means “different flesh.” Some Bible scholars suggest the meaning here is not human flesh, but rather angelic beings. Certainly when the angels paid a visit to Lot and his family, the citizens of Sodom tried to sexually assault the heavenly visitors. But the meaning here could refer to the homosexual lifestyle or even to bestiality. Both practices are condemned by God (see Leviticus 18:22-25).

Many gay writers have promoted the idea that the Bible is silent or even approves of homosexual behavior. Nothing could be further from the truth. The first mention of homosexual behavior is contained in Genesis 19:1-11. Some have suggested the sin of Sodom was not so much homosexual assault, but inhospitality, but Jude clearly believed the sin is sexual immorality.

Leviticus 20:13 says, “If a man lies with a male as he lies with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination. They shall surely be put to death. Their blood shall be upon them.” Now I’m not suggesting we kill homosexuals. If we exacted the death penalty for all the sins and crimes listed in the Old Testament, most of us would be dead. I won't speak for you, but I deserved to be put to death according to the Old Testament economy, since I practiced witchcraft and divination.

As Christians we interpret the Old Testament in light of the New Testament. The Bible is clear about the subject of homosexuality in both the Old Testament and the New Testament. Paul speaks of the issue of homosexual behavior in Romans 1:24-27. People in the Gentile world had “suppressed the truth” (v.18) by failing to glorify God (v.21) and God handed them over to indulge their lusts (v.24). Homosexual behavior also appears in two vice lists in 1Cor.6:9-11 and 1 Timothy 1:9-10.

Thank God I was able to experience God's grace and mercy in Jesus Christ. We as Christians have the opportunity to extend that same love, grace and mercy to our homosexual family members, friends and neighbors. There is hope for our homosexual loved ones!

You can have freedom and victory over whatever sin you struggle with as you yield to Jesus, are filled with the Holy Spirit, and make and maintain relationships within the church. God can give you the strength to persevere and overcome sin, despite painful emotions or powerful attractions.

"Today's Little Lift" from Jim Bullington

Mercy and not Sacrifice (Sept. 30, 2010)