UNDERSTANDING CONCEPTS VERSUS PRACTICING CONCEPTS

Victor M. Eskew

 

            God has revealed His word to us in the pages of the Bible (I Cor. 2:9-13; II Tim. 3:16-17; II Pet. 1:20-21).  In the Word of God, there are many spiritual concepts that God desires for our minds to grasp (II Cor. 10:4).  Paul prayed for the Colossians to be filled with an understanding of God’s spiritual truths in Colossians 1:9.  “For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding.”

            There are some members of the church who possess only a shallow knowledge of divine concepts.  They have not applied their minds to deep study of God’s Word.  These individuals often allow feelings and opinions come before a “thus saith the Lord.”  They often argue their points, but they do not speak as the oracles of God (I Pet. 4:11).  There are others, however, who have an understanding of Biblical principles.  They have studied.  They can give book, chapter, and verse for the things they believe.  But, sometimes those who understand the Word of God have difficulty in making application of it.  There are many illustrations that can be set forth to prove this assertion.

            God’s teaching on marriage-divorce-remarriage (MDR) is very simple.  God’s original intent in marriage is for one man to be married to one woman for life.  “For a woman which hath a husband is bound by the law to her husband so long as he liveth; but if her husband be dead, she is loosed from the law of her husband” (Rom. 7:2).  Jesus provides one exception to this rule.  If a person’s mate commits fornication, he/she is free to put away his/her mate and remarry.  Matthew records this teaching in Matthew 19:9.  “And I say unto you, Whosoever shall put away his wife, except for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery:  and whoso marrieth her which is put away doth commit adultery.”  The concepts are easy:  1) One man with one woman for life, and 2) If a spouse commits adultery the innocent party can divorce and remarry.  The second teaching also involves the following:  “If a person divorces his/her mate for a cause other than fornication, he/she is not free to remarry.  Again, the concept is simple. 

            There are many Christians who have understood these concepts about marriage for many, many years.  Then, something happens.  They are called upon to put them into practice in their lives.  Their child divorces for a cause other than fornication.  That child remarries.  For some reason, the one who understands the Biblical teaching will justify the practice of his child.  The second marriage is not adulterous.  The Lord wants the individual to be happy.  The Lord understands.  The Lord will provide grace and mercy.  Yes, they know the concepts, but practicing the concepts is difficult.

            Another spiritual concept that is easy to understand is Matthew 6:33.  Jesus tells us where the kingdom of God should be placed in our lives.  “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”  God’s kingdom is the church (Matt. 16:18-19; Col. 1:13).  First, very simply means not second or third or fourth.  The kingdom should be the Christian’s top priority.  The concept is easy to understand.  Nothing comes before the church.  Nothing should take precedence over the kingdom of God. 

            Most understand the concept, but practicing the concept is not always easy.  We find that other things in our lives often call for our attention.  Sometimes these things stand in direct contrast to the kingdom of God.  We find ourselves having to make a choice.  Work?  Or, the kingdom?  A ballgame?  Or, the kingdom?  A concert?  Or, the kingdom?  Family?  Or the kingdom?  Many will put work, a ballgame, a concert, and family before the kingdom of God.  For a while, they agonize over their decision.  Finally, they just harden their heart and put the kingdom on a backburner.  All kinds of justifications are given as to why these other things should come before the kingdom of God.  Again, we are told that God understands. 

            A third spiritual concept that is simple to understand, but hard to put into practice for some Christians is church discipline.  There are numerous passages in the Bible that teach on the subject (Matt. 18:15-18; Rom. 16:17-18; I Cor. 5:1-13; II John 9-11).  One of the most simple passages was penned by Paul to the Thessalonians.  “Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us” (II Thess. 3:6).  This is a command:  “Now we command you brethren.”  It is a command given by the authority of Jesus Christ:  “In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”  The command is to withdraw:  “That ye withdraw yourselves.”  The ones to be withdrawn from are those who walk out of step with God’s Word:  “From every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the traditions which he received of us.”  Isn’t that easy to comprehend?  Absolutely! 

            Most church leaders and members know this passage is in the Bible, but they also know that it is hard to put into practice.  It involves friends and family.  It involves confrontation.  It involves the emotions of so many in the church.  The doing of it is not enjoyable.  When it is done, the action itself and the church’s leaders are ridiculed.  All kinds of excuses are used as to why it should not be done.  It is interesting that most will not say that God understands why church discipline is not practiced.  It is just not practiced. 

            Another concept that we seem to understand is that God’s law is higher than man’s law.  If man’s law conflicts with God’s law, then God’s law is supposed to prevail.  This concept is revealed in both the Old and New Testaments.  Peter and John were arrested in the city of Jerusalem.  They were called before the Sanhedrin of the Jews.  The council’s decision was issued in the form of a command.  “And they called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus” (Acts 4:18).  Peter and John quickly answered this command.  “But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye.  For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard” (Acts 4:19-20).  The concept was easy for these two apostles.  We will obey God rather than man. 

            Yes, the disciples understood the concept, but would they put it in practice?  The answer is:  “Yes.”  “Then came one and told them, saying, Behold, the men whom ye put in prison are standing in the temple, and teaching the people” (Acts 5:25).  The apostles were defying the order of the council.  They preached in Jesus’ name instead of being silent.  They were taken into custody and were brought before the council.  This is why the high priest asked them:  “…Did not we straitly command you that ye should not teach in this name?  and, behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man’s blood upon us” (Acts 5:28).  Peter and the other apostles were in direct violation of a government command.  How did they answer?  “Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men” (Acts 5:29).  Note that they practiced the very concept they had spoken to the council in a previous session.  We will obey God instead of man.  And, they did.

            When we study these things, we are sympathetic to the those who know the concepts of God’s Word but do not practice them.  But, we also believe that those who violate God’s law ought to remain true to it.  We affirm that there are no excuses for disobedience.  Too, when we read about the apostles defying the order of the high council our hearts are filled with respect for these courageous men.  Their affirmations and their practices harmonized with one another.  They did not just affirm truth; they put it into practice. 

Dear readers, let each of us labor to this end.  Understanding concepts is absolutely essential.  Practicing them is just as essential.  May all of us follow the example of our Lord.  Luke tells us that He both obeyed God’s law and taught it.  “The former treatise have I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach” (Acts 1:1).  In our introduction to this article, we mentioned Paul’s prayer for the Colossians to increase in the knowledge of God’s will.  Listen to why he wanted them to come to a spiritual understanding.  “That ye may walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness” (Col. 1:10-11).