Generalist or Specialist?

~ Did Jesus Speak in Generalities or Specifics? ~

This post was prompted after reading a post on another Christian website (a site which I generally respect and appreciate) which made two interesting statements:  (1) Christians love to speak in generalities.  (2) Did you ever notice how Jesus only dealt in specifics?  This post caused me to think—which is a key value of a good post.

Two of the immediate thoughts which flashed across my mind were definitions that I learned many years ago.  (1) A specialist is a person who learns more and more about less and less until he eventually knows absolutely everything about nothing.  (2) A generalist is a person who has interests in more and more until he eventually knows absolutely nothing about everything. 

Here are my thoughts regarding Jesus and whether Christians should be a generalists or specialists.  Keep in mind that a key principle is that Christians should strive to be more and more like their Savior. 

Jesus Spoke In Generalities  ~  For example, consider the Beatitudes which presents general truths which are not always true in every circumstance—similar to the Book of Proverbs in the Old Testament.  Actually a significant portion of the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7), of which the beatitudes are a part (5:3-10), include generalities. 

Jesus Spoke With Specifics  ~  When Jesus met and talked with a Samaritan woman at the well He knew the specifics of her life (John 4:1-26).  He talked with her about specifics.  Another example is the time he interacted with some Pharisees about taxes.  The Pharisees tried to trick Him but He knew the specifics of not only their question but their motives and He replied with such specificity as to astonish and silence them (Matthew 22:15-22). 

Jesus Christ knew not only the specifics of man’s motives but the  specifics of nature.  In another event dealing with taxes He told Peter how he could pay his taxes with money from a fish (Matthew 17:24-27).  Our Lord and Savior also has specific plans tailored to each of us as we seek to do His will on earth (for example see John 21:20-23).

Summary  ~  In the examples provided we see Jesus using generalities when speaking to groups and using specifics when talking to individuals.  In general we are to apply basic principles to life.  However, basic principles are of no value unless we apply them to specific situations—which is similar to the difference between knowledge and wisdom.  

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW

If you found this post personally interesting or helpful, you are welcome to add a link to it on your own blog or website. 

If you would prefer to copy this post, please credit ALN as the source by prominently displaying the following statement:  Reprinted from “Abundant Life Now,” a free blog which offers inspiring moments, thought-provoking comments, and solid Biblical insight (http://RobertLloydRussell.blogspot.com/).

Baby Jesus

~ Never Before & Never Again—A Birth Like This! ~

Observations  ~  Consider some unusual aspects of the birth of Jesus Christ. 

1. Another child being born is not unusual—tens of thousands are born each day.

2. He never ceased to be the Son of God even while assuming the conditions of full humanity. 

3. Even though He was the King of glory He came not in kingly garments but was wrapped in swaddling clothes (what the shepherds used to wrap newborn lambs).

4. When future kings are born on earth great publicity and recognition accompanies the birth—but when He was born there was no celebration or rejoicing. 

5. Israel had been anticipating the arrival of their Messiah—yet when He came they did not recognize Him. 

6. While fully and completely God He became fully and completely human.

7. As God He was not limited by the restraints of space but He became dependent upon the limitations of space as we are.

8. As God He was not limited by the restraints of time but He became dependent upon time as He grew from infancy to adulthood. 

9. As God He was not limited by the restraints of physical matter but He became dependent upon the limitations of a human body. 

10.  As God He was invisible but He became visible in a human body.

11.  As God He was unchanging but He became a human infant who grew into an adult human being. 

12. As God He was eternal but He partook of the aging process of a human. 

13. While self-existent He became dependent upon His earthly parents

14. While all-powerful He assumed the role of a baby—even unable to walk. 

15. While all-knowing He assumed the role of a baby—even unable to think rationally. 

16. If His birth had been in a royal palace ordinary people would not have been able to identify with Him as being like them and experiencing what they experienced. 

17. It was all for our sakes!

Uniqueness  ~  Think about some of the unique aspects of this baby’s birth.

1. This Child was not beginning His life—He had existed from eternity past.

2. This Child was the Creator of the universe.

3. This Child was called Lord by all the angels in heaven. 

4. This Child was the Lord of glory. 

Lessons  ~  There are many “takeaways” from His birth.  Here are a few.

1. How great His condescension in coming to earth in human form. 

2. He experienced humiliation that we might be exalted. 

3. He became the Son of Man that we might become Sons of God!

4. Noise, show, and pomp are not necessary to accompany power. 

5. The love, mercy, and grace of God usually come quietly.

6. Character (who you really are) is far more important than reputation (who others think you are). 

7. God judges a person’s greatness by their character—not their circumstances. 

8. It is not about being honored on earth but rather living an honorable life. 

9. Gifts were brought to the infant Jesus.  The gifts were costly.  It is not enough for us to merely sing “praise” and “worship” choruses to God.  We should give our best to Him.

Summary  ~  “Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night.  And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid.  Then the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people.  For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.  And this will be the sign to you:  You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.’

“And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying:  ‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!’  

“So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, ‘Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us.’  And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger.  Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child.  And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds.  But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart.  Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told them” (Luke 2:8-20).

the key question: “Who do you say that I am?” (Matthew 16:15). This is the most important question you will ever answer. If you do not answer it, or answer it incorrectly, you have made the biggest mistake anyone can make!

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW

If you found this post personally interesting or helpful, you are welcome to add a link to it on your own blog or website. 

If you would prefer to copy this post, please credit ALN as the source by prominently displaying the following statement:  Reprinted from “Abundant Life Now,” a free blog which offers inspiring moments, thought-provoking comments, and solid Biblical insight (http://RobertLloydRussell.blogspot.com/).

Godliness

~ Paul Tells Timothy The Truth ~

False Godliness (the hypocrites)  ~  “But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: for men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!” (2 Timothy 3:1-5). 

Mystery of Godliness (the Savior)  ~  “And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifested in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen by angels, preached among the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up in glory” (1 Timothy 3:16). 

Doctrine of Godliness (the truth)  ~  “If anyone teaches otherwise and does not consent to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which accords with godliness, he is proud, knowing nothing, but is obsessed with disputes and arguments over words, from which come envy, strife, reviling, evil suspicions, useless wranglings of men of corrupt minds and destitute of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain. From such withdraw yourself” (1 Timothy 6:3-5).

Profession of Godliness (the believer’s confession)  ~  “And of this matter I was appointed a preacher and an apostle (special messenger)—I am speaking the truth in Christ, I do not falsify [when I say this]—a teacher of the Gentiles in [the realm of] faith and truth. I desire therefore that in every place men should pray, without anger or quarreling or resentment or doubt [in their minds], lifting up holy hands. Also [I desire] that women should adorn themselves modestly and appropriately and sensibly in seemly apparel, not with [elaborate] hair arrangement or gold or pearls or expensive clothing, but by doing good deeds (deeds in themselves good and for the good and advantage of those contacted by them), as befits women who profess reverential fear for and devotion to God” (1 Timothy 2:7-10 Amplified).

Practice of Godliness (the believer’s walk)  ~  “If you instruct the brethren in these things, you will be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished in the words of faith and of the good doctrine which you have carefully followed. But reject profane and old wives’ fables, and exercise yourself toward godliness. For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come” (1 Timothy 4:6-8).

Pursuit of Godliness (the believer’s object)  ~  “But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness. Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses” (1 Timothy 6:11-12). This verse gives us the overarching goal of the Christian life.   

The Result of Godliness  ~  “Now godliness with contentment is great gain” (1 Timothy 6:6). 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW

If you found this post personally interesting or helpful, you are welcome to add a link to it on your own blog or website. 

If you would prefer to copy this post, please credit ALN as the source by prominently displaying the following statement:  Reprinted from “Abundant Life Now,” a free blog which offers inspiring moments, thought-provoking comments, and solid Biblical insight (http://RobertLloydRussell.blogspot.com/).