"What Was Sodom Like?"

     We are bombarded daily with information about the worsening moral state of our society. A news report last week indicated that a local school board in Massachusetts has decided to teach kindergartners in public school that the homosexual lifestyle is an appropriate alternative to that of heterosexuality. Not only does this practice violate religious freedoms (my conclusion), it's blatantly sinful and in rebellion toward Almighty God! We can't help but wonder whether or not our national sin has reached its full measure (cf. Genesis 15:16).

     But, on the other hand, the "good life" seems to be present in America. Our economy is strong. The stock market is booming. Immigrants from all over the world are trying to enter the United States. Some would claim that such prosperity demonstrates God's approval.

     Oh, but what about Sodom? What was Sodom like - just before its destruction? Were the people expecting such devastation? Hardly! As Luke describes it, the people were "eating and drinking, buying and selling, planting and building" (Luke 17:27). They were living the "good life"!

     The spiritual state of a nation simply cannot be determined by the financial prosperity of its people. Sodom's prosperity couldn't hide its ugly sins from the face of God. The spiritual state of a nation can only be seen by examining the nation's respect for God and for His word. Ezekiel writes that the Sodomites were "arrogant, overfed and unconcerned; they did not help the poor and needy" (Ezekiel 16:49). Sound familiar?

     I would suggest that we concentrate on the "remnant" - reaching those individuals in this country who would repent and become obedient to the Lord. I believe they're out there!