If you’re a parent worried about your children who aren’t living godly lives, here’s an encouraging thought from the story of Abraham in Genesis 18.
God told Abraham that He was sending angels to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah because of their extreme wickedness. Abraham, being concerned for the people, asked God to spare the cities if righteous people could be found. He negotiated with God, and finally, God agreed that if there were 10 righteous people, He would not destroy the cities. Interestingly, those 10 could have been Lot’s family—Lot, his wife, his sons, daughters, and sons-in-law.
Lot and his family were living in Sodom, a place known for its ungodly culture. From what we see in the story, Lot’s family had adopted the sinful ways of their surroundings. When Lot warned them about the coming destruction, most of them didn’t believe him. Even Lot’s own actions seemed far from righteous. For example, when the crowd threatened the angels who had come to his house, Lot shockingly offered his daughters to the mob. Later, after being rescued, his daughters showed twisted thinking by getting Lot drunk and having children by him.
Looking at this, we might wonder: How could God see Lot and his family as righteous? The answer lies in Abraham’s righteousness.
The Power of Righteous Influence
Abraham had a close relationship with God and took responsibility for Lot when Lot’s father died. In Genesis 14, we see Abraham rescuing Lot and his family when they were taken captive during a battle. Even when Lot’s family separated from Abraham’s, Abraham remained dedicated to them. His righteousness and relationship with God impacted everyone around him, including Lot and his family.
Because of Abraham’s righteousness, God showed mercy to Lot’s family—even though they were deeply influenced by the ungodly culture of Sodom. This reflects a powerful truth: the righteousness of one person can bring blessings and protection to their entire family.
Encouragement for Parents Today
As Christians, we believe that it’s the righteousness of Jesus that makes us right with God.
Proverbs 20:7 reminds us, “The righteous lead blameless lives; blessed are their children after them.”
Acts 16:31 says, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.”
This means that as we live a life of repentance and a relationship with God, His grace can extend to our children and family. Just as Abraham’s righteousness impacted Lot’s family, your relationship with God can bring blessings and protection to your children, even if they seem far from Him right now.
A Final Thought
God’s mercy is greater than we can imagine. He sent His angels to rescue Lot’s family, despite their flaws and the culture they lived in. In the same way, God is at work in your family. Trust in His faithfulness, keep living a life of repentance, and know that your relationship with Him has a powerful impact on those you love.
To learn more about repentance click here.