Journey of Faith — Choice of Faith

[Genesis 13:14–18]

“After Lot had left Abram, the Lord said to Abram, ‘Lift up your eyes and look from where you are north, south, east, and west.’” (Gen 13:14)

God has given humanity freedom. Therefore, we live our lives making countless choices every day. Whether to eat, where to go, whom to meet, what job to take, or even what values ​​to live by, everything is a continuous series of choices.

The ability to choose means having freedom. However, freedom inevitably comes with responsibility. While one can freely make a choice, the person who made it must bear the consequences.

Some people choose God, while others choose the world. Some choose faith, while others choose desire. And ultimately, those choices determine the direction and outcome of one’s life.

The Bible records countless stories of choices. Among them, Genesis Chapter 13 depicts the scene where Abram, a man of faith, and his nephew Lot make different choices. The two people started out in the same environment but met completely different endings.

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1. The Criteria for Choice Are Important

Looking at Genesis chapter 13, Abram and Lot had accumulated so much livestock and property that it became difficult for them to live together. Eventually, they had to part ways.

Abram gave his nephew Lot the first choice.

Lot did not miss that opportunity.

Genesis 13:10 states:

“Then Lot looked up toward the Jordan region.”

The Hebrew word for “looked” here is “wayar (וירא).” This implies more than simply seeing; it includes the meaning of looking at what one desires to see. It signifies looking with a heart of love and covetousness.

Lot did not see what God desired. He saw what he wanted.

In his eyes, only fertile pastures were visible.

In his eyes, only economic gain was visible.

In his eyes, only success and prosperity were visible.

However, he failed to see the wickedness of the land.

Sodom and Gomorrah were already cities filled with sin. However, Lot, consumed by greed, failed to see this.

Greed blinds our eyes.

Avarice clouds our spiritual discernment.

Desire makes us see the world as greater than God.

The same is true for believers today.

They look first at whether it is a good job.

They look first at whether they can earn a lot of money.

They look first at whether they can obtain what they want.

However, they do not ask whether it is a path that pleases God.

If God is not at the center of the heart, one makes choices like Lot.

Conversely, if God is at the center of the heart, one makes choices like Abram.

Ultimately, the issue of choice is not a matter of circumstances, but a matter of the heart.

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2. If you choose out of greed, you will eventually head toward Sodom.

Genesis 13:12 is a very profound passage.

“Lot moved his tent toward the cities and came as far as Sodom.”

He did not go to Sodom from the very beginning.

He gradually drew closer.

He moved little by little.

He compromised slowly.

Eventually, he settled in Sodom.

The process by which a person falls into sin is the same.

He does not commit great sins from the start.

He moves away from God little by little.

He compromises with the world little by little.

He ignores the voice of his conscience little by little.

Then, one day, he arrives spiritually in Sodom.

God sent signals to Lot several times.

He made him see the wickedness of Sodom.

He warned him through war.

Eventually, He sent an angel to announce judgment.

God always gives us a chance to turn back.

We, too, hear God’s warnings many times as we walk the path of life. He speaks to us through the Word.

He brings us understanding through sermons.

The Holy Spirit places a burden on our hearts.

He makes us stop through our circumstances.

Yet, if we continue to act according to our own desires, we will eventually end up dwelling in Sodom like Lot.

Where is the path I am currently walking?

Is it truly a path that pleases God?

Or is it a path led by my own desires?

A person of faith is one who continually asks God.

“Lord, is this the right path?”

“Lord, am I going the wrong way?”

You must not miss these questions.

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3. A Person of Faith Looks to God Rather Than the Land

After Lot left, God spoke to Abram.

“Lift up your eyes and look to the north, south, east, and west.”

Lot looked at the land out of greed.

However, God told him to look with faith.

Outwardly, it seemed as though Lot had secured better land.

Abram appeared to have suffered a loss.

But God was preparing the very best for Abram.

Genesis 13:18 states:

“So Abram moved his tent and settled in the oak grove of Mamre, in Hebron, and there he built an altar to the Lord.”

This verse is important.

God told him to look at the land, but Abram built an altar.

Lot chose the land.

Abram chose God.

Lot clung to what was visible to the eye.

Abram held onto the invisible God.

Lot gained pastureland but lost God.

Abram seemed to have lost the land, but he gained God.

A person of faith is someone who looks to God first, rather than to circumstances.

He is someone who trusts God more than the situation.

He is someone who chooses eternal value over immediate gain.

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4. The results differ for those who choose God and those who choose the world.

History clearly confirms this difference.

Among the Puritans, there were those who crossed over to North America to serve God.

They chose a difficult path for the sake of religious freedom.

They prioritized God over immediate abundance.

On the other hand, some headed to South America in pursuit of economic gain and wealth.

Over time, history shows just how vast the difference between these two choices has been.

Of course, not all of history can be explained simply, but the important lesson is clear.

The choice to prioritize God ultimately leads to God’s blessings.

The world pursues immediate success.

However, God rejoices in obedience of faith.

The world looks at results first.

God looks at the heart first.

The world tells us to grasp what is visible.

God tells us to trust in the invisible God.

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Our lives are a series of choices.

Today, we stand before countless crossroads.

Will you look with the eyes of desire, like Lot?

Will you look with the eyes of faith, like Abram?

Lot chose Sodom and eventually lost everything.

Abram chose God and became the father of faith.

The parable of the rich man and Lazarus teaches the same lesson. Whose side you stand on in this world determines eternity. If you choose the world, you will face the end of the world; if you choose God, you will gain the Kingdom of God.

Today, God speaks to us as well.

“Lift up your eyes and look.”

However, a person of faith does not look only at the earth.

They look to God.

They look to God rather than their circumstances.

They look to God rather than their problems.

They look to God rather than their blessings.

And those who choose God never regret it.

Just as Abram built an altar in Hebron, we too must build altars to worship God in every place of our lives. Then, just as God promised Abram, He will guide and take responsibility for our lives as well.

The choice of faith is ultimately choosing God. And to those who choose God, God leads them to the best path. Amen.