Flatwoods church of Christ

You are here: Home / Archives for Featured

Generic and Specific

by Leave a Comment

Almost every day we specify something we want. One example is placing an order in a restaurant. We understand that if we specify what we would like, all other items on the menu are ruled out. No one goes through the menu telling the waiter/waitress every item they do not want. If anything other than our order is brought to our table, we assume waiter must have the wrong table, because it is not what we specified. On the other hand, sometimes we are generic with our requests. In the example of the restaurant, someone may ask for steak sauce without specifying the brand. Whether A1, Heinz, or some other brand is brought to the table, the request is fulfilled. If the brand is not specified, then any steak sauce will suffice.

Photo by Tim Toomey on Unsplash

This simple concept of generic and specific requests must be grasped when it comes to God’s word. When God specifies the way in which something is to be done, that eliminates all other ways I may think of doing it; however, if God is generic in His request, then I am at liberty to fulfill that request in any way that falls under that genus He has given.

We have many examples of specific requests in the Bible. In Genesis 6:14, God commanded Noah, “Make thee an ark of gopher wood.” “Gopher” was the type of wood specified; thus, pine, maple, oak, or any other kind of wood was ruled out. When God gave the command to Israel to keep the Passover, He specified, “Your lamb shall be without blemish, a male of the first year…” (Exodus 12:5). This eliminated any other animal such as a cow or a pig. It also eliminated any female lamb. Lambs of the second, third, fourth or any other year than the first year would be eliminated as well. From Matthew 26, 1 Corinthian 10:16-17, and 1 Corinthians 11:23-29, we learn unleavened bread and fruit of the vine are the specified food and drink we are to partake of in observing the Lord’s supper; thus, other kinds of food are eliminated. The inspired writer of Hebrews makes this argument concerning Jesus being ineligible to be a priest under the Old Covenant. Hebrews 7:14 says, “For it is evident that our Lord sprang out of Juda; of which tribe Moses spake nothing concerning priesthood.” Since God specified from which tribe priests were to come—Levi (Numbers 3:10)—all other tribes were excluded; thus, Judah was excluded.

God also gives some generic commands. Consider Mark 16:15, “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.” There are certain things that are specified in this verse. For exam-ple, the Gospel is what we are to preach when we go into all the world. This rules out preaching some other message than the Gospel. But the command “go” is generic in the sense that how one is to go is not specified. Therefore, it is perfectly acceptable for one to go by boat, plane, car, radio, television, internet or any other means that will bring the Gospel to the world.

When people try to take what God has specified and substitute their own choice, God is displeased. Nadab and Abihu offered fire that was different than that which God had specified and, therefore, were punished by the Lord (Leviticus 10:1-2). Death was the consequence of doing their own thing rather than what God authorized; this is obviously a big deal to God! When God has given liberty in an area and people bind their own specific preference on others and deem the alternatives to be sinful God is equally displeased. The Spirit speaks contemptuously of those “forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth. For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving” (1 Timothy 4:3-4).

We must recognize the generic and specific commands God has given in His word and treat them properly. If we do so, God will be pleased.

 

-Mark Day

Comforted by God

by Leave a Comment

Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God. For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ.  And whether we be afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effectual in the enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer: or whether we be comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation. (2 Corinthians 1:3-6.)

Why do innocent people suffer? Job, David, Solomon, Habakkuk, and other great men of faith have grappled with this question. By inspiration the apostle Paul gives one answer in the passage quoted above. Paul found in his suffering an opportunity to be comforted by God and to comfort others by pointing them to Him.

Suffering forces one to consider what is truly important in life. One’s priorities get an overhaul during the hard times. Suffering can make a person better. Though it breaks the spirit of some, it brings out the best in those who refuse to quit. Hard times are often the most defining moments in our lives. Through adversity a person becomes stronger.

Through suffering Paul learned to look to Christ and realize that He would see him through the hard times.  From prison, Paul wrote, “Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.  I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me” (Philippians 4:11-13). Regardless of what else he was lacking, Paul had Christ. With Christ he could be content.

As the afflictions of the apostle abounded, so his hope for comfort in heaven abounded.  Notice some statements from his inspired pen concerning suffering for Christ.  “And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together” (Romans 8:17). “If we suffer, we shall also reign with him…” (2 Timothy 2:12). “For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory” (2 Corinthians 4:17).

This comfort found in the hope of heaven comes after we have learned through suffering to turn away from fleeting earthly comforts to look to God. Then we will be able to point others to God, our source of comfort.  The effectiveness of Paul’s work for Christ was not in eloquent speech or impressive physical image (2 Corinthians 10:10), but in tenaciously clinging to Christ as his rock and anchor in the storms of life.  God’s strength was made perfect in Paul’s weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9); therefore, God was glorified and men followed (1 Corinthians 11:1; John 12:32; 1 Peter 3:15).  Perhaps suffering for Christ and finding hope in heaven is what is so often lacking in the presentation of the gospel by Christians today.

-Mark Day