Word of Encouragement (8/12/2020)

The next categories of divine promises are general and particular. I’m sure you can guess what they mean.

“General promises are indefinite declarations of good that God offers to all” (p. 5). The authors give John 3:16 as an example of these. Here, the promise of everlasting life is given to any, who would believe in Jesus Christ. Of course, no one can believe unless s/he is born of God first (John 1:13), who is of God’s elect people. However, the knowledge of who is elect belongs to God’s secret will; no one but God has this knowledge. So, we are not to presume to know who is elect and who is not, especially because, all throughout history, there have been many surprises: while many hardened criminals and people with addiction have received the gospel and been set free, many helpless and needy people have refused to put their trust in Jesus Christ, as many powerful and rich people as well as many morally upstanding (self-righteous) people have rejected the gospel. So, we should share the gospel indiscriminately with all, even with those we think will never believe. And, instead of wondering whether we are chosen or not, we should hear what the gospel promises and respond accordingly. To think that we are not chosen is to presume to know God’s secret will!

“Particular promises are directed to special groups of people” (p. 5). One example the authors give is Num. 25:12-13, in which “the Lord promises a perpetual priesthood only to zealous Phinehas and his descendants” (p. 5). We can add to this the covenant God made with the household of David (2 Sam. 7). It is obvious that we cannot apply these promises to ourselves—at least, literally. I added the last disclaimer because, in Jesus Christ, we have become a royal priesthood (1 Pet. 2:9). But this is “spiritually” so; we are not physical descendants of David and Phinehas.

Recognizing this (fine) distinction will clear up a lot of confusion. For example, some Christian leaders claim themselves to be “Apostles,” not just pastors. But no one in this day and age can claim the office of Apostleship: an Apostle is someone who is chosen by Christ Himself and is an eyewitness of Christ’s earthly ministry (Acts 1:21-22). But there may be some sense in which all Christians are Jesus’ “apostles” (with a small “a”) insofar as an apostle simply means an envoy or messenger. We are all sent into the world by Christ (John 17:18) and we are all “a letter from Christ” (2 Cor. 3:3) and we all have our respective callings from Christ, which we must fulfill.

Should it disappoint us that there are particular promises of God, which are not applicable to us literally? Not if we recognize the abundance and greatness of God’s general promises. That we are not left to perish in our sin but have been given eternal life for believing in Jesus Christ alone should make us praise God for all eternity! That no one or nothing can separate us from the love of Christ alone should make us rejoice always! Yet, we have so many more promises from God! How blessed we are! Have a blessed day as you reflect on these wonderful truths!