Looking Back

From the Pastor: Dr. M. J. Seymour, Sr.

The angel told Lot and his family as they were brought forth from Sodom, “Escape for thy life; look not behind thee, neither stay thou in all the plain; escape to the mountain, lest thou be consumed. … But his wife looked back from behind him, and she became a pillar of salt.” (Gen. 19:17, 26) Jesus cautions us to “Remember Lot’s wife. Whosoever shall seek to save his life shall lose it; and whosoever shall lose his life shall preserve it.” (Lk. 17:32-33)

“Escape for thy life” was the issue not the loss of their eternal souls. One cannot lose what is not in his possession to lose. Jesus said concerning His sheep, “I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand.” (Jn. 10:28-29) If one can lose his salvation then he is greater than the Father by being able to pluck himself out of the Father’s hand. The issue is one’s sojourning and pilgrimage from the point in time of his heavenly birth until the moment he enters into the heavenly Jerusalem. He can be either a useful stone or be a castaway, a pillar of salt.

Jesus said to those that would follow Him, “No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.” (Lk. 9:62) Following Jesus requires total commitment. Our destination is New Jerusalem where the King of kings and the Lord of lords dwells and rules. We are all guilty of wallowing in the sins of this world before we were born anew; but we are instructed to forget those things that are behind and press toward the resurrection to come. Satan would have us to look back, because looking back to what we were before will incapacitate us, a pillar of salt. Then we are fit for no service of the Lord. We become frozen by our shame and fears; our unworthiness overwhelms us to unproductiveness.

Sometimes even loved ones and friends must be left behind if we are to follow Jesus as obedient servants. Lot and his wife left many behind as they escaped from the wrath to come. Lot’s wife no doubt loved them, but was told: “look not behind thee.” Every believer must be willing to count all things and everyone loss for Christ to gain the fullness of an obedient servant. Looking forward is abundant life in Christ; looking back renders us unfit for service.