Theocast
How Could Lot Be Righteous?
March 26, 2025
Summary
If I had to pick one person from the entire Bible and give him the title of "righteous" based on his actions, it wouldn’t be Lot. I’m sorry, but what that man did is not the definition of righteousness. Yet, that’s often how we think about godliness—righteousness as a comparison of who obeys the law. "I didn’t do these things; therefore, I’m righteous. You did those things; therefore, you’re unrighteous." But that’s not the definition used in the books of Hebrews and 2 Peter. They present a different perspective. In today’s podcast, Justin and Jon discuss why Peter refers to Noah and Lot as righteous—and what that really means.
Topics
- Why Lot’s actions do not look like righteousness
- Righteousness as law-comparison versus how Hebrews and 2 Peter speak
- Gospel righteousness that is not measured by performance
Links
- More Than Forgiven — Justin Perdue
- Theocast Community
- Rest — free ebook on faith vs. faithfulness
- Partner with Theocast
Transcript
Edited machine transcript. May contain errors. Select a timestamp to watch that moment.
If I were to pick one person out of the whole Bible and give them the title of righteous based upon what they're doing, it wouldn't be a lot.
I'm sorry.
What that man did is not the definition of righteous.
But that's how we mostly think about godliness and righteousness.
It's a comparative of who obeys the law.
I didn't do these things, therefore I'm righteous.
You did those things, therefore you're unrighteous.
But that's not the definition that Hebrews and Peter uses.
They come up with a different definition.
So, today's podcast, Justin and I are going to talk about how could Peter call Noah and Lot righteous and why would he do that?
Stay tuned.
Hey guys, this is Justin.
Maybe you know that you are forgiven because of Jesus Christ.
But you're wondering: what does Jesus have to do with my Christian life?
How is He involved in my sanctification, even?
Or is He concerned at all with the ways that I struggle and the way that my life goes up and down.
Is there any comfort for me in Jesus when it comes to all of that?
Well, I've written a book called More Than Forgiven: How Being in Christ Changes Everything that deals with this topic from Romans chapter 6.
You can find this book at theocast.org.
Welcome to Theocast, where we encourage weary pilgrims like you to rest in Christ.
