On the desolate shores of the Dead Sea stand weather-worn pillars of salt, monuments of the cataclysmic judgment of God which transformed the fertile region of Sodom and Gomorrah into a wasteland. These pillars remind us of Lot and his wife, who were fleeing the judgment when she "looked back from behind him, and she became a pillar of salt" (Genesis 19:26).

In Luke 17:32 Jesus says, "Remember Lot's wife." He was speaking of fleeing the coming judgment, of not turning back. This is a very real warning that should search the hearts of each one of us. What is the judgment that we are to flee? The judgment of God upon sin. How are we to flee? We are told to repent of our sins and to trust Jesus as our Saviour. "God…now commandeth all men every where to repent: Because He hath appointed a day, in the which He will judge the world in righteousness by that Man [Jesus] whom He hath ordained" (Acts 17:30,31). Will the judgment catch you as it caught Lot's wife?

Did she fail to escape because she did not know about the coming judgment? No, she perished because she did not flee it. She enjoyed many spiritual blessings during her life. At one time she may have lived in the company of righteous Abraham, who no doubt shared his faith in God with her, and she was blessed by living in a godly atmosphere. Later, as the judgment upon Sodom was drawing very near, her family was given a direct warning from angels of the Lord. Even more than that, when Lot and his family hesitated to leave the city, the angels took them by the hand and removed them from the city. Yet Lot's wife did not make it. Why not? "Looked back from behind him" tells us why. She did not merely glance behind her, she was lagging behind—she was not fleeing.

She had so many privileges, but yet perished. What prevented her from fleeing? Perhaps she was concerned about loved ones she and Lot had left behind. Maybe she wanted to salvage some of her possessions, or possibly she longed for her friends and the life she enjoyed in Sodom. Whatever the case, her heart's true condition was revealed when she disobeyed the direction of the Lord and did not flee.

Perhaps you have been exposed to Bible teaching during your life, or have been blessed by knowing righteous people. If so, you have probably heard the Lord's warnings about the coming judgment many times. "Remember Lot's wife." There is a great danger in merely going along with Christianity. A religious heritage may show you the way of salvation, but it cannot save you. Godly companions can help you and guide you, but they can never deliver you. You must personally "flee from the wrath to come" (Luke 3:7).

Do you possess real, saving faith? Have you truly repented of your sins and cast yourself upon Jesus for salvation, or are you merely going along with Christianity? "Remember Lot's wife." Do not allow anything—whether family or possessions or friends—to hinder you from fleeing the coming judgment and placing your stedfast faith in Christ. "No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God" (Luke 9:62). Do not be like Lot's wife, who from all outward appearance was going to be saved, and yet perished. "How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation" (Hebrews 2:3).