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The word ‘concept’ is not an uncommon word in our modern day usage. The dictionary defines it like this…
- a general notion or idea, or
- an idea of something formed by mentally combining all its characteristics or particulars.
When a new idea for a product is being developed, the first discussions and/or release of such is often referred to as ‘a concept’, for example a new car design.
However, taking the definition as a ‘general notion’ or ‘something formed by mentally combining’, it is easy to see how some ideas on widely known topics miss the mark.
If the concept for a new product was of interest to you, you’d probably want to do some research to see if it delivers on its promises; will it suit your lifestyle, or does it represent a good value proposition?
The same questions apply to new products; schools of thought; discoveries, and spiritual matters. Often taken for granted, based on our preferences and filters, or because we trust the source of the information, the truth behind these statements of claim have their legitimacy untested.
We sometimes mentally combine several ideas or beliefs to make a new one without testing its accuracy. Intentional or otherwise, this often occurs when we want a collation of facts combined to suit our needs or affirm a position on an issue.
This is particularly true with Biblical revelation. When we hear or read of new revelations from God, or understand Biblical claims for the first time (that light bulb moment) we need to test these truths against Scripture. Sixty-one English translations of the Bible are quite clear in the teaching on this topic, in particular from 1 Thessalonians 5:21. Most of these are identical, in that they all present the notion that we “are to test everything, holding on to the truth.”
Non-Conformity to the truth brings disaster. The impact of the disaster depends on how far from the truth you are.
- if an engineer designs and builds according to an error of positioning in the concept, the building will likely collapse;
- if a medical researcher is wrong about the quantities and/or combinations in the development of medication, the outcome could be unsuitable for human consumption, or
- if a navigator is wrong about their position, either on land, sea or in the air, they could soon collide with an object that wasn’t on their radar.
But what of the false teachings of Scripture that have been allowed to shape our individual thinking, been infiltrated by false and/or wordy doctrine, or influenced churches to stray from Biblical truths?
These false teachings provide us with wrong concepts.
A Wrong Concept of God.
When a person holds to the Biblical truths about who God is, their foundations are sound. Mistakes and fundamental errors in our choices come from a wrong concept of God.
Scripture tells us on many occasions who God is.
In Exodus 3 Moses has an encounter with a burning bush where the presence of God manifest with him. The ensuing discussion with Moses and God begins to reveal who God is. God frequently referred to Himself as ‘I AM’. Upon being told to return to the Israelites, Moses questions how he should explain the encounter and commands to the people. God’s reply was simply to say “I AM sent you.”
The Psalms frequently ring out the truths of who God is. He is the creator of the heavens and the earth who placed the moon and starts in their place (Psalm 8). We are also taught that the earth is the LORDs and all that is within it (Psalms 24).
Scripture also describes the characteristics of God through the names assigned to Him. Such as God is love; our light and salvation; our healer; our provider; our stronghold and strength; is grace; is omnipresent; omnipotent, omniscient.
Whilst these are far from inclusive lists, removing any of the attributes of God is to have the wrong concept of God.
- A soft god is all you are left with if you remove all the justice, judgement and hatred of sin;
- A judgemental god is all you are left with if you take away love, mercy and grace, and
- A god for the scientists is all that remains if Gods personality is removed and replaced with a mathematically limited logical god.
If your concept of God has been reduced through excluding aspects you don’t like or disagree with, then correcting these can only be achieved through studying His WORD, finding out who He is and conforming our views to His.
A Wrong Concept of Ourselves.
Any wrong idea of God causes the idea we have of ourselves to be wrong too. Being wrong about God eliminates the ability to know who, what or why we are where we are.
Our view of theology shapes our view of our existence.
Science starts from a worldly position and tries to prove God, without success. The only way to successfully identify and explain ourselves is through the doctrine that teaches we have come from the dust of the earth and had life breathed into our nostrils by God himself. Becoming a living soul, we are then able to trace the origins of our existence to an encounter with God.
Having encounters with God can assist in solidifying the truths from scripture that tell us that who we are. Some of these include:
- The apple of His eye (Psalms 17:8, Zechariah 2:8);
- His prized possession (Deuteronomy 26:18, James 1:18);
- We are heirs of Christ (Romans 8:17, Hebrews 1:2));
- We are strong in Him (Psalms 18:32, 1 John 4:4);
- Adopted into His family (Romans 8:15, Ephesians 1:5);
- We are never alone or forsaken, for He is always with us (Deuteronomy 31:6-8, Joshua 1:9), and
- We can live at peace despite anxiety, depression and fear trying to control our perspectives of life (Isaiah 26:3, John 14:27).
A Wrong Concept of Sin.
Understanding who God is and what He says about us corrects our understanding of sin. Worldly definitions differentiate between sins by the impact they have on others, the damage they cause physically and emotionally, and how intentional the act was. In a civilised society, this has led to the existence of law and order, police and prisons, locks and the grave. From a world perspective, sins need to have a hierarchy for punishment. Impact on individuals and society from ‘white lies’ is clearly different from a mass murderer.
In God’s eyes, a sin is a sin and the penalty was death. Their price was paid when Jesus died on the cross, declaring “It is finished.” This fact is also reiterated in 1 Corinthians 15:55-57 – “Death has been swallowed up in victory.” and Colossians 2:12-15 – “He forgave us all our trespasses, erasing the record that stood against us.”
Scripture also teaches us that sin is:
- Rebellion against the will of God (Numbers 20:24, Joshua 22);
- Inherited human/sinful nature (Psalms 51:5, Ecclesiastes 7:20);
- Fleshly desires are in opposition to the Spirit of God (Galatians 5:16-21, 1 Peter 4:2), and
- The need for death (Genesis 3:3, Romans 8:9-11).
Any teaching that denies the existence of sin is false teaching.
A Wrong Concept about Jesus Christ.
A twisted and imperfect concept of who Jesus Christ, is a result of a wrong concept of God, ourselves and of sin. Low concept of God, ourselves and a dangerous concept of sin leads to a degraded concept of Jesus Christ. Put another way, when God is reduced; man is degraded; sin is underestimated, and Jesus Christ is disparaged.
The power in the Name of Jesus is not fully known. For many the name of Jesus has been reduced and limited to a swear word.
For some, the name of Jesus Christ only means public holidays where gifts are exchanged and chocolate is eaten in abundance, or long weekends. To fully appreciate what the birth of Jesus Christ meant, it is necessary not only to take him out of the manger, but to the cross and the empty tomb also. These three events cannot be understood in isolation to each other.
For others Jesus Christ is limited to a picture painted on a canvas, a jewellery piece with ‘some person on a cross’, or a ‘gentle, meek and mild’ historical person who shared stories to make people feel better, and in some cases left confused.
These concepts of Jesus Christ are far removed from the Christ who will return as a conquering King riding a white horse (Revelation 6:2). Jesus also returns bringing righteousness and judgement (Revelation 19:11-16). However, it is also important to acknowledge that He will also return with love and grace and mercy, just as He demonstrated when he walked the earth.
Jesus Christ was also a man “filled with compassion.” (Matthew 9:36) When Jesus saw the multitudes of people who had been taught wrong concepts of God, of themselves, of sin and of Jesus himself, He did not abuse them, treat them with contempt nor banish them from His presence. I believe that this is an example for all of us to follow when living out our faith in God.
The Letter of Jude in the New Testament provides us with four keys to avoid being contentious with these issues, to preserve the truth without hurting people, and how to dare to love and be charitable.
Key 1: Build Up. Verse 20 commands us to build ourselves up on a Holy Faith. To achieve this we need to know our Bibles. It is essential to read your Bible regularly. To study it. If you don’t know what it says about issues that are present in our world, then you cannot present a Biblical perspective on the truth of the matter. Seek after God directly rather than relying on popular culture or mainstream and social media for your knowledge. Instead of relying on the internet for you Bible verse searches, memorise them, or use a Bible software that can also teach the truths and context of the passages you read. Build yourself up by knowing God, not just knowing about Him.
Key 2: Pray. Verse 20 also commands us to Pray in the Holy Spirit. This type of praying in itself can easily become contentious (a discussion for another time). Jude continues to say that the reason most are unable to pray in this way is a lack of the presence of the Holy Spirit living within them. Unless the Spirit inhabits in us, we cannot communicate with God in this way. I have heard it said that five minutes of prayer in the Holy Spirit is worth more than a year of hit and miss prayers in our own strength, not in the Holy Spirit.
Key 3: Love. Verse 21 instructs us to keep ourselves in the love of God. This can be done by not showing contempt for anyone, especially those who do not share our views on eternal or faith matters. For contempt is a fruit of pride, not love. Doing this requires knowing God, in having an intimate relationship with Him. God only has children, not grandchildren…we must have our own relationship with God, not reliant on another persons faith to spend eternity with Him in heaven.
Key 4: Look. Verse 21 also encourages us to look forward to the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. He is a righteous and merciful judge, not a bitter and vindictive one. He will show His mercy to all who call upon His name when He returns. Just as His mercy was demonstrated on the cross, where He was accepting of all regardless of their sinful state, so too will His mercy be demonstrated upon His return, and unto eternal life.
We must contend for our faith, based on sound Biblical doctrines.
We must contend for the truth in all areas of our lives and thinking.
The challenges lie in contending without being contentious.
