2 Peter 2:6 KJV
[6] “and turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah into ashes condemned them with an overthrow, making them an ensample unto those that after should live ungodly;”
Sodom and Gomorrah serve as a biblical and public example that God is serious about judging sin. The example is not meant to instill fear only, but to call men to repentance and humility before God. He takes no pleasure in destroying men, regardless of how wickedly they have lived. We know that God is loving and caring because the previous verse reminds us just how far He would go to save a man and his family from the judgment of sin. God loves man and wants to deliver him from sin, but He will only extend His mercy for so long.
Whenever a society allows moral decay, rejection of truth, and defiance of God’s authority to run rampant, then they are setting themselves up for God’s judgment. While God will be merciful, we must remember that He will not be mocked. He is not going to sit by forever and allow man to shake his fist at Him and spit on His mercy without responding. We all have a choice to experience His grace or face His judgment.
This verse also serves as a reminder not to be influenced by false teaching. False teachers are notorious for excusing sin and denying future judgment. They want you to think that all is well, regardless of what the Bible says about it. They preach a false gospel and give a false hope to those who give ear to damnable doctrines. Dear reader, let me assure you that God’s standard remains unchanged through cultures or times. The Bible encourages men to live holy and to walk humbly before God.
Another lesson we should glean from this text is that the judgment of Sodom and Gomorrah was severe and revealed God’s commitment to righteousness. The Lord will protect and preserve those who will walk uprightly before Him, but He will judge any nation that turns its back on Him. This is one of the reasons we must pray for our nation. America needs to turn back to God. We need revival, and we need it now. Our hope is that God’s people will awaken to righteousness once again and be the salt and light that this nation so desperately needs. God is still able to turn the tide of wickedness in our country if His people will repent and look up. He still loves America and does not want to make our nation a public example. It does not matter the size of our economy or military if we fall under God’s judgment. We cannot buy our way out of His hand of judgment. America will fall as other nations have fallen before her if she does not turn to God. We will also become a public example if we fail to cry out.