Genesis 13

Lot also, who went with Abram, had flocks and herds and tents. Now the land was not able to support them, that they might dwell together, for their possessions were so great that they could not dwell together. And 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, and between my herdsmen and your herdsmen; 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.” Genesis 13:5-9 NKJV

Abram took the initiative to resolve the conflict between his people and Lot’s.  We need to follow Abram’s example, and “If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.” (Romans 12:18)  

Abram dwelt in the land of Canaan, and Lot dwelt in the cities of the plain and pitched his tent even as far as Sodom. Genesis 13:12 NKJV

Lot settled near Sodom, but as we will see in upcoming chapters, he eventually moved to Sodom and became evil like the Sodomites.  Today, we live in a sinful world, but Jesus says this about us: “They are not of the world, even as I am not of it.” (John 17:16).  We are meant to live “in the world, but not be of the world.”  In other words, we are here to affect others in a positive way, hopefully leading them to Christ through our love for them and by our actions.  We need to be careful not to let the ways of the world affect us. Our guidelines for living come from God alone, not from what our culture and society tell us.