When I was a child, my father and I were walking to a store at the end of our road. This road was a little over a mile long, but seemed longer to me at the time. I remember when we were over half way there, I told dad that I was tired. I asked him if we could go back home, because I didn't think I could keep walking on. I can still hear my late father's gentle voice as he said to me, "We are closer to the end than we are the beginning. It would be farther to walk back than to go on ahead. Just think about the treat you will get at the store and the trip won't seem as long." I have never forgotten that.
Christians are walking away from the faith on a daily basis. Pastors walk away from their responsibilities. People think it would be easier to just go back than to press onward. They are tired and weary. The enemy convinces them that they can't continue on, so they should just revert back to their old ways.
If we could see just how close to the end of this life we really are, we would not consider ever going back.
Jesus said in this passage that even if we look back, we are not fit for the kingdom of God. This is a strong statement. It means we aren't even worthy of going to Heaven if we even look back. We are told in Luke 17:32:
"Remember Lot's wife."
When God was about to destroy the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah for their wickedness and abominations, He was sparing Lot and his family. He gave them simple instructions:
"And it came to pass, when they had brought them forth abroad, that he said, Escape for thy life; look not behind thee, neither stay thou in all the plain; escape to the mountain, lest thou be consumed." (Genesis 19:17).
They were told to walk forward and not to look back. There was nothing behind them that they needed to focus on. They were told to move ahead and continue to a safe distance, and to not look back at what they were leaving behind.
"But his wife looked back from behind him, and she became a pillar of salt." (Genesis 19:26).
She disobeyed, and as a result, was destroyed. Her life was taken from her and all who saw this pillar of salt knew what had happened. It was a reminder to everyone. These people in Luke 17:32 knew about it, otherwise Jesus would not have told them to remember her. He is telling us today, don't turn back and walk away from the Lord. Don't look back, don't go back, don't entertain the thoughts of life back there. There is nothing back there but heartache, pain, sin, strife, and separation from the Lord.
We are closer to the end than to the beginning. This life is like a vapor. It will soon be over. Which direction are you walking in? Are you pressing toward Heaven, or have you given up and are walking back in the old way of doing things? Walking back will only bring destruction. Paul said:
"Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 3:13-14).
Paul knew the importance of looking forward and not looking back. He knew there was nothing behind him worth focusing on. He knew he could not help others if he was constantly thinking of going back to his old ways.
Which way are you walking? We are close to the end. Time is running out. There is nothing behind us worth going back to. Don't give up. No matter how the enemy tries to discourage you or entice you to go back. Your soul is at stake and nothing is worth going back for. Nothing is worth going to Hell for. Stay focused on what is ahead, forget what is behind. Think about the rewards we will receive in Heaven if we remain faithfully on the course.
Remember Lot's wife
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