Genesis 18

“You could not possibly do such a thing: to kill the righteous with the wicked, treating the righteous and wicked alike. You could not possibly do that! Won’t the judge of all the earth do what is just?’” Genesis 18:25 (HCSB)

In Abram’s day, the story of Noah must have still been fresh on the World’s psyche. It was a simple story of Justice: The wicked perish while the righteous escape.  Now, Abram poses a new question: Would God’s judgment on unrighteous Sodom bear collateral damage among the righteous?  More importantly, was Lot righteous?  Abram’s questioning supposes a couple of common misunderstandings about God: 1) God is fair, and 2) Righteousness can be attained by man, apart from being imputed by God.  

God is not fair. He is JUST, and His justice must be served. “Fairness” assumes everyone gets the same treatment. What’s FAIR is that we all get judged, apart from Grace and mercy. I am eternally grateful God isn’t fair in this regard!  God’s Justice, the penalty we deserve for our sin, was laid on Messiah, Jesus. When we believe in Jesus by faith, His atonement covers our sin, and His righteousness is imputed to our accounts.  At that moment, the Bible says we receive His Name.  

“Then you shall know that I am the Lord, when I have dealt with you for My name’s sake, not according to your wicked ways nor according to your corrupt doings…” Ezekiel 20: 44a (NKJV)  

God’s satisfaction that Justice has been served on the sin of the World stands alone with Jesus’ atoning sacrifice on the cross. It is verified by His resurrection and certified by God’s testimony in heaven, “Sit at My right hand…” (Hebrews 1:13, Ps 2:7). If you look for fairness with God, you will be frustrated. Sometimes, the righteous suffer, and the wicked prosper. Concerning Israel, God said, “Behold, I am against you, and I will draw My sword out of its sheath and cut off both righteous and wicked…” Ezekiel 21:3 (NKJV)

It is possible that while Abram was negotiating with God, there may have been NO righteous people in Sodom. Lot’s first recorded act of righteousness was when he, believing God’s messengers about Sodom’s judgment, repented and left town. “Do I have any pleasure at all that the wicked should die?” says the Lord God, “and not that he should turn from his ways and live?” Ezekiel 18: 23 (NKJV)

Have you left the “Sodom” that this World has become and chosen to follow Jesus?