In Genesis 19, we saw how Abraham interceded for Lot that he may not experience God’s judgement. But saddest thing here is that Lot never reached to where Abraham was because he refused to go to the mountain where he was pointed but chose to go to Zoar. Now Abraham in this instance is feeling sad that he could not save his nephew Lot from the overthrow of Sodom and Gomorrah. So he is condemning himself because Lot’s disappearance.
At the same time, Abraham’s journey had to continue. Now Abraham is heading to Gerar, to king Abimelech, and as usual Abraham and Sarah planned that they would lie that they are siblings. This is twenty-five years later since he departed from king Pharaoh in Egypt; it worked then that he came out of Egypt very wealthy. The reason Abraham is doing this is because he fears for his life that king Abimelech will kill him for Sarah because she was beautiful.
Where is his God whom he communicated with before the overthrow of Sodom and Gomorrah? At this point, he doubts His existence in Gerar. Now also feels like he is the one who kept beating around the bush when interceding for Lot. He lowered the numbers of the righteous people from fifty to ten, while there was one righteous Lot. Now I believe he said in his heart that he was supposed to go down to one and hear God’s reply.
Now let us read, “Now Abraham said of Sarah his wife, ‘She is my sister’. And Abimelech king of Gerar sent and took Sarah. But God came to Abimelech in a dream by night, and said to him, ‘Indeed you are a dead man because of the woman whom you have taken, for she is a man’s wife’” (Genesis 20:2-3). I am sure that many people when they first read this thought that God was going to appear to Abraham or thought that there were printing errors until they continued reading and discovered that indeed God protected Abraham.
God hates sin. God cannot compromise on sin, He never did, He cannot and He will not compromise on sin. For every sin there has to be consequences. But then why not on Abraham? Abraham here feared for his life either way Abimelech was going to take Sarah from him and kill him. But Abraham was spared because he said they were siblings. Abimelech was wrong also. God had to protect His own which is Abraham a man whom has a covenant with God.
Abimelech was shocked to find out that Sarah was married to Abraham. This is what he said, “…‘Lord, will You slay a righteous nation also? Did he not say to me, “She is my sister?” And she, even she herself said, “He is my brother” In the integrity of my heart and innocence of my hands I have done this. ’ And God said to him in a dream, ‘Yes, I know that you did this in the integrity of your heart. For I also withheld you from sinning against Me; therefore I did not let you touch her” (Genesis 20:4-6).
Now Abimelech is justifying his actions relating to this matter. Either way, even if Sarah was not married, it still not making it right to just take her. Although it seems like it was the custom of their day that when you arrive in a foreign land with your wife, if the king likes her, you as the husband you will be killed and the king will take your wife. But if it is your sister or cousin, then you will be spared. This was a bad custom.
We do not have to live this way today to lie trying to protect ourselves from people. But even if we did lie, God will not depart from us because He has already forgiven us of our sins. The Lord Jesus said, “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgement, but has passed from death into life” (John 5:24).
Abraham believed and Lot believed that is why they were never brought into the judgement. Now although Abraham here has lied purposely, God recognises Genesis 15 where the agreement occurred and Abraham believed in Him. The same is true with those who believe in the Lord Jesus, when they sin, God remembers the covenant He made with them on Mount Calvary through the blood of His Son. So if you are in Christ there is no condemnation (Krisis in Greek) for you. The word krisis it is also for the word judgement.
Paul opens up Romans 8 with the following words, “There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit” (Romans 8:1). This is the assurance to us that we cannot be condemned because we are in Christ. How to be in Christ? Read John 5:24, then you will be clear. Then Paul said also, “Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us” (Romans 8:34).
This verse does not say Christ condemns. Paul is rather saying that it is Christ who has taken the condemnation away from us. Because in the same chapter he said there is now no condemnation. He is not opposing what he said earlier, he is actually reinforcing it. Believers; never believe that the bible opposes itself, it cannot because God does not want to confuse us. Whenever you are feeling confused about your salvation because you heard of a preaching that says you will lose your salvation, read John 5:24.
Some believer’s faith is shaken by verses like, “For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted the heavenly gift, and have become partakers of the Holy Spirit, and tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come, if they fall away, to renew them again to repentance, since they crucify again for themselves the Son of God, and put Him to an open shame” (Hebrews 6:4-6).
Although I may not understand everything in the verses above, but the key words that need to be explained deeper here are; enlightened, tasted, and partakers. Our New Testament bible is translated from the Greek language, so we will look at some words from the original Greek translation. The word enlightened does not mean saved, even if we can find it from the Greek, so let us not be discouraged by anyone concerning our salvation. So for the word enlightened we have the word phōtizō meaning to shed rays — in the context it means to be enlightened.
We also have the word tasted, in the Greek we have the word geuomai, to taste, to eat or experience — in the context it means to experience. We also have the word partakers and possessors of the Holy Spirit. What word do we have in Greek? We have the word metochos, meaning the sharer or participant. To share does not mean to possess. You may be sharing something with someone; the other person may be the owner and decides to share it with you. You may be the owner and decide to share with someone.
Being a partaker of the Holy Spirit does not mean to be the member of the body of Christ. Look around in the political rallies, people often attend because they are invited or because there will be certain artists which will be there or because of the freebies available especially the food. They may not be the true members of that political party, but they attended the rally. Even if they vote for it, they may not necessarily be members of the party.
Professing to be a believer does not mean you are saved or you are a true Christian. Look at the example of Lot’s wife. She looked back and she never escaped the judgement. She was a partaker, but because she was not truly believing she fell away and we see a consequence. It is therefore consequential to be a possessing eternal life Christian than to be professing Christianity. These verses are referring to such people. She was never saved, although she was numbered among believers when Abraham made an intercession. That is why he stopped at ten.
Who else was Abraham counting? Well, we have Lot, his wife; his two daughters who were virgins, sons, and sons-in-law so what number can come out from here? If all will be in twos then we will have eight people. However, the sons-in-law could never be married to his two daughters who were virgins. This means that, Lot had more than three daughters because he had sons-in-law not son-in-law. This is what the angel said, “…Have you anyone else here? Son-in-law, your sons, your daughters, and whomever you have in the city—take them out of this place” (Genesis 19:12).
In verse 14, Lot spoke to his sons-in-law and they thought he was joking. Now the angels would not ask him if he had sons if they did not know. Well the rest of his family do not even appear here except his sons-in-law who thought he was joking. I love this! Some preachers believe that messages like this will make people to go out and be crazy. No, not at all. This will make people to fall in love with God instead of falling in love with sin. I was once made to believe that the truth is when you are preaching always on God’s judgement and not on God’s love.
Now what about Hebrews 10:26 & 27, let us see what it says, “For if we sin wilfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a certain fearful expectation of judgement and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries” (Hebrews 10:26-27). This is not referring to believers. I will show you why I say so. Look, the word judgement in the Greek is for the word krisis. We will look at another bible chapter and verse where this word appears.
This is what Jesus said, “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgement (krisis), but has passed from death into life” (John 5:24). Whoever is a believer shall not come into krisis, that is condemnation or judgement. Even in John 3 we have a similar proclamation on love and faith, and on condemnation for those who reject Christ. This was never meant for us believers but for those who wilfully ignore the truth of the word and go back to sin. This letter was written to the Jews who rejected Christ after hearing about Him.
My friend; never be condemned by anything. Since you are a believer you shall not come into condemnation or judgement. God will judge the unbelievers and not the believers. No. Million times no. This is Good News people; God punished all our sins on His Son Jesus.
Stay in health through grace and favour
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