Ephesians
4:20 - But you have not so learned Christ
Much is said in Paul’s writings about
revelation and how he experienced a dramatic and personal unveiling of Jesus.
The Lord revealed himself to Paul. Later Paul was caught up into the third
Heaven and was given abundant revelation; insight and understanding that was
imparted to him instantaneously. Revelation is instantaneous but learning is a
process. Paul had both revelation and a process of learning in his life.
The
Ephesians also apparently, learned Christ. They were taught and they acquired
knowledge over a period of time. Learning is all important to life. Children
must not just be taught, they must learn. We do not want to pass a child into
the next grade because they were simply in the same classroom as everyone else
and heard all the same teaching. No! Did the child learn? Sadly, our culture
has given us the wrong impression. We have been taught to pass tests instead of
learn. We emphasize the passing of the test, so we cram for the exam and
because it is fresh on our minds we can remember the necessary answers and
obtain a passing grade. The answers were in our mind but not in our life. If we
actually learn what we need to learn, the passing of the test will be a
consequence not a goal. Learning and developing in character and skill should
be the goal; passing the test and getting the good grade will be the result.
Let’s apply that to our walk with God. We
are not to simply pass tests or even acquire information. We might be able to
quote multiple verses of Scripture but that is no guarantee that we have
learned. Learning is the discipleship word. We are not just a pupil but an
apprentice. If we think like that we will get a better picture of what God
wants for us. He wants us to not simply have book knowledge or head knowledge but
he wants us to be trained as apprentices so we can acquire the necessary skills
to succeed. We must learn Christ. We must learn him, which means that we learn
a person. When you associate closely with a person you eventually take on the
characteristics, attitude and habits of that person. Jesus had said to his
disciples earlier, ‘Take my yoke upon you and learn of me’.
Just as it is necessary to learn Christ it
is also important how you learn. Paul said that they ‘had not so learned’ Christ. They had not learned
Christ in the manner in which some others had learned. We must be true to the
way that the Lord has led us and the way that he has taught us. In what manner
have you learned Christ? Obviously, we are open to more learning and to
different ways of learning but it is important that we honour our roots. Honour
those who have shown you the way of the Lord. Honour the history of your walk
with God by continuing to learn from it. God knows us. He knows exactly how to
speak to us and how to deal with us so that we may learn and thereby be changed
and experience greater levels of freedom. Every parent and school teacher knows
that each child is different and has a unique way of learning, and our walk
with Christ is a lifelong process of learning. As we grow and mature, he teaches
us a little more and shows us another aspect of his character and grace.
There are tests in life and there are
things that we face that are very difficult, for sure. However, let’s be sure
to not simply go through the experience but let’s be sure to learn. We
sometimes have heard it said that experience is the best teacher but if that
were true wouldn’t we all be a lot smarter? Experience is important but
learning something from your experience is more important. So the next time
that you are in a pressure situation let’s be sure to learn Christ in the
middle of it all, take on his attitude and characteristics and be changed in to his image by his power and by his grace.
