|
In the last
article we talked about commands, and ended by observing
that commands are specific, general, or a combination
of specific and general.
When we have a specific command from God, we must
obey Him by accomplishing the command as specified.
But when we have a general command, we must employ lawful
expediencies to carry out the command.
Therefore, when we have a command with both specific
and general components, we must obey God by accomplishing
the specific component of the command, and employing
lawful expediencies to carry out the general component
of the command.
Example: Abraham Offered Isaac
God's command requiring Abraham to offer his son exemplifies
specific and general commands, because it contains components
of both (Gen. 22:1-19).
Specifics of the command include:
- Gen. 22:2 son, Isaac, Moriah, burnt offering,
and a mountain told him by God.
Generalities of the command include:
- Gen. 22:2 take, go, and offer.
Later in this article, we'll explore the expediencies
Abraham employed to fulfill the general aspects of the
command.
"Expedient" Defined
The word "expedient" is in the Bible (Jn. 11:50; 16:7;
18:14; 1 Cor. 6:12; 10:23; 2 Cor. 8:10; 12:1).
- Note: some translations do not always use the English
word "expedient" in every verse.
An "expedient" is something that is advantageous and
profitable (Vine's).
Criteria For Expediencies
Paul gives the criteria for expediencies while teaching
about eating of meats (1 Cor. 6:12; 10:23-24).
- "All things are lawful for me, but not all
things are profitable. All things are lawful
for me, but I will not be mastered by anything"
(1 Cor. 6:12).
- "All things are lawful, but not all things
are profitable. All things are lawful,
but not all things edify. Let no one seek his own
good, but that of his neighbor" (1 Cor. 10:23-24).
To summarize, for something to be expedient it must
be:
- lawful.
- helpful (expedient, KJV; profitable, NASB; beneficial,
NIV and NRSV).
- edify.
- not our master (not have control over us).
- good for our neighbor (not self-serving).
Remember that expediencies are only employed when
we have a general command.
When we have a general command, we can employ anything
that's lawful, as long as it meets all the other
criteria. In other words, we could not sin for the sake
of employing an expedient.
- For example, Noah was commanded to build the ark.
He could employ any lawful expedient to build, but
he could not sin. He could use tools, but he could
not steal them.
An expedient must be helpful.
- From among the realm of lawful things, we must
choose something that is helpful in accomplishing
God's general command.
- Everything that is lawful is not helpful in every
situation, in accomplishing God's commands (cf. 1
Cor. 9:19-23; 10:23-33; Rom. 14:1-15:4).
An expedient must edify (build-up).
- An expedient cannot be something that tears people
down (Rom. 14:13, 15, 19-21; 1 Cor. 10:32-33).
An expedient cannot be our master it cannot
have control over us.
- We cannot be addicted to it. A lawful expedient
cannot be employed if it has control over us (e.g.,
caffeine).
An expedient must be good for our neighbor
(not self-serving). These expedients must be employed
in light of what is good for our brethren (cf. Phil.
2:3-4; Rom. 14:1-15:2; 1 Cor. 10:23-11:1).
- An expedient that causes a brother to stumble or
causes a church to divide cannot be employed (cf.
Rom. 14:20-15:3).
Example: Abraham Offered Isaac
The specifics of the command include:
- Gen. 22:2 son, Isaac, Moriah, burnt offering,
and a mountain told him by God.
The generalities of the command include:
- Gen. 22:2 take, go, and offer.
Now let's look at the expediencies Abraham employed,
as revealed in God's word.
To fulfill the general commands to "take" and "go",
he:
- saddled a donkey (Gen. 22:3).
- took two young men to help (Gen. 22:3).
To fulfill the general command to "offer", he:
- split wood (Gen. 22:3).
- took fire and a knife (Gen. 22:6).
- built an altar, and took something to bind Isaac
(Gen. 22:9).
Conclusion
Today, we must employ expediencies to fulfill God's
general commands.
We can choose anything that's lawful to accomplish
this, as long as it's helpful, edifies, not our master,
and good for our neighbor.
|
