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Msg #544                Wed, February 04, 2009

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 " there was strife between the herdsmen of Abram's livestock

and the herdsmen of Lot's livestock.

The Canaanites and the Perizzites then dwelt in the land. 

So Abram said to Lot, "Please let there be no strife between you and me…for we are brethren.  "Is not the whole land before you? Please separate from me. If you take the left, then I will go to the right; or, if you go to the right, then I will go to the left."" (Gen 13:6-9) 

People problems are normal.   Perhaps that is a sad statement, but it is true.  In this life, we often encounter trouble, strife, and  disagreements with others. In one sense, we expect this when it comes to dealing with those who are not saved.  Yet what is often shocking is that these people problems can and do happen with Christians! 

Abraham’s problem in our text above was with Lot.  In New Testament terms, Abraham would be considered a Christian.  Yet, interestingly, Lot would also be considered a Christian.  In 2 Peter 2:8 it lets us know that Lot had a righteous soul.  So how do we deal with these people problems with other Christians?  Abraham gives us a good example:

First – he Recognized their Witness.  In v.7, the point was made that the Canaanites were in the land. Canaanites were those who were not God’s people, a picture to us of the unsaved world around us.   What I like about this, is this reality is put first, above other considerations.   I could wish that it was always so in our lives, but in today’s world, we often exalt ourselves, our needs and our rights above all else.   Yet, this understanding is by far the most important consideration in how we handle our people problems.  How the world sees us handle problems with other believers effects how they see Christians is or even more importantly – how they see God.  Therefore we must deal with our problems in a way that brings glory to God, and in no way detracts or hurts our witness.  It would be better to be wronged, than to carry this conflict before unbelievers, which is exactly what it says in 1 Cor 6:7.

Second – he Recognized the Problem.  Abraham went to Lot to work the problem out.  This is key, because so often we have a tendency to ignore the problem and hope it will go away.  The Bible is clear, in Matt 18 – God tells us that if someone has sinned against us – WE need to go to them.  In Matt 6 it tells us that if we have sinned against someone else – WE need to go to them.  Either way, if we are the one who is wronged or doing the wrong – we are called to be the one who proactively seeks to deal with the issue.     Abraham shows us this. 

Third – he Recognized their Unity.  Abraham noted that they were brothers, therefore the needed to handle this right.  In conflict, we have a tendency to vilify each other, to be questioning, or even denying that we are still one in Christ.   We need to get past this, and acknowledge that we are family, even if we don’t always get along.  Like siblings in a physical family, we may squabble, but we are still “brethren”.

Fourth – he Dealt with it in Humility.  In many ways this is one of the most amazing things in this passage.   Abraham worked this problem out by humbling himself.  The truth is that it was because of him that Lot was blessed.  It would have been well within his “rights” to insist on his way, what he wanted and order Lot to go the other way.  Yet, he did not.  He humbled himself beneath his rights, and allowed Lot to choose whatever he wanted.  Truly this is a great example of “turning the other check” that Jesus taught us.  In a day of people who demand their rights, defend their rights and even sue for their rights – this is amazing to watch.

Fifth – he separated from Lot.  Yes, it is true, Lot would be considered a Christian.  Yet, Lot was what we would call a carnal Christian – who loved, lived, and looked a lot like the world.  For Abraham to have all that God had for him, he needed to separate from Lot.  This is what God called Lot to do back in Gen 12:1.  It took a while, but Abraham is finally willing to make this choice.   For the Christian today, such a choice often does have to be made.  Abraham still helped Lot when he could (Gen 15), Abraham still prayed for Lot (Gen 17) – but the separation was still necessary.  

So – their problem was solved, their witness saved…but even more – in light of Abraham’s heart and sacrifice – God blessed him (v.14-18).  God’s blessing confirmed that Abraham made the right choice.  

People problems are normal…but God’s way of dealing with them are amazing.

I call you to look at Abraham’s example and learn to handle these well.  

"But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you!

In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven… (Mat 5:44-45 NLT)

May we truly act more and more in the character of God through the issues and problems which come to us….for the world is watching!

Jim

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