Flee the Lust of the Eyes - Remember Abraham

Abraham was also faced with the same temptation as Lot. God had offered him everything if he would wait--and now the opportunity for a quick time of ease and pleasure was offered. Abraham said NO to the worldliness of Sodom. The only mark Abraham left of his life on earth were those altars! 

• Abraham stayed a pilgrim for God in tents (Lot in Sodom);
• Abraham built altars every where he went (Lot built none);
• Abraham became a hero among all mankind (Lot ends ignominiously in incest);
• Abraham is called God's Friend 3 times (Lot fades out and his family all become God's enemies).  

If we were to contrast Abraham and Lot it would sound like this: 

Lot was conformed to the world (Rom. 12:2). All that he lived for went up in smoke and was buried under ruins somewhere in the area around the Dead Sea. Lot is a warning to all believers not to love the world, become friendly with the world, or be stained by the world (James 1:27), because the day of reckoning finally comes.

But that is not how it has to be. Our lives do not have to be ruined, our families do not have to be ruined by our choices. God’s grace is available.

• Titus 2:11-13 “For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, 12 instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age,13 looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus;” NAS
• Titus 2:11-13 “ For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. 12 It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, 13 while we wait for the blessed hope—the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ,” NIV
• Titus 2:11-13 “ For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, 12 teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, 13 looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ,” NKJV

So it is possible to say no to lust. It is possible to have the force of temptation's powers lessened as we mortify our flesh by starving our lusts. All of that comes by His grace. 

The following Hymn is a testimony that “Grace [is] Greater Than All Our Sin”. Think about these words as you read them:

  Marvelous grace of our loving Lord,

  Grace that exceeds our sin and our guilt!

  Yonder on Calvary's mount outpoured,

  There where the blood of the Lamb was spilt.  

  Sin and despair, like the sea waves cold,

  Threaten the soul with infinite loss;

  Grace that is greater, yes, grace untold,

  “Points to the refuge, the mighty cross.”  

  Dark is the stain that we cannot hide.

  What can avail to wash it away?

  Look! There is flowing a crimson tide,

  Brighter than snow you may be today.  

  Marvelous, infinite, matchless grace,

  Freely bestowed on all who believe!

  You that are longing to see his face,

  Will you this moment his grace receive?  

Refrain:

  Grace, grace, God's grace,

  Grace that will pardon and cleanse within;

  Grace, grace, God's grace,

 Grace that is greater than all our (MY) sin!