Jump Start # 3972
Ephesians 4:20 “You did not learn Christ in this way.”
It was Robert Fulghum who gave us the cute piece, “All I really need to know I learned in kindergarten.” Fulghum wrote about sharing and taking naps and being nice to each other. It’s a fun and reflective piece to read. But, this isn’t “All I really need to know.” No, there are other things.
In His great invitation, Jesus said, “Come and learn from Me” (Mt 11:29). Here in our verse today, the apostle reminds the brethren at Ephesus that “they did not learn Christ in this way.” The way the apostle has in mind is not the way of Christ. The way of Christ is not disobedience. It is not the way of greed and impurity. One doesn’t get that way from following the Bible. It’s not the Bible that causes wars and hatred.
Jesus the master teacher. What do we learn from Jesus?
First, what we thought was the best way wasn’t. That’s what got us into trouble. That’s why we were so far away from God. We must stop following our hearts, listening to the culture of the day and being swayed by the popular and powerful. We must learn from Jesus. One of the first things we learn from the Lord is that His way is ALWAYS the best way. We can’t outdo Jesus. Everything God created was the best from the very start. Some have the idea of doing a better job at being God than God can. That won’t happen.
Second, I learn that that I can be a show model of God’s character. What an incredible privilege and honor that is. You’ve seen the cars in the showroom. Beautiful. Shiny. No cups in the back seat. No French fries on the floor. No finger prints smudging the windows. You’ve seen showroom homes. The latest and best options. No laundry laying around. No toys on the floor. No dishes in the sink. Beautiful lighting. Beautiful landscape. If only our homes could look like that.
When it comes to character, we can look like the Lord. Be holy as I am holy, are the words found in Peter’s letter. Forgive, just as God has forgiven you, is what the Ephesians were told. You are the light of the world is what the Lord told His disciples. Though we are not perfect and though we are a work in progress, we can show the world what the Lord is like. We can be the “world’s Bible” as the hymn states.
Third, I learn that I can be a magnifier of Grace as God has been to be. I can forgive. I can run to the prodigal with arms out stretched ready to receive and accept. I can The list of things that God has forgiven us is long. From wicked things we have said, to the hateful ways we have treated others, to lustful sins, to greed and pride. Some have blasphemed and trashed the name of God. Some have taught error. Some have bowed to the idols of the day. Our hearts have been very far from the Lord who never stopped loving us. It is remarkable that God would have anything to do with us.
From that, we have learned. We have learned to be patient with others. We have learned to listen to others. We have learned to extend second chances to others.
It is a sad thing for some to spend decades in their Bibles and hundreds of hours sitting in church houses and are none the better because of that. They never learned a thing. Hearts closed. Stubborn pride refusing to change. Year after year, they sit and year after year they are none the better. The best teacher, Jesus is before them in the Scriptures, yet they did not learn. The best examples are given to them through the righteous lives of Abraham, Daniel, Job, Noah and Paul. Yet, they are none the better.
Imagine spending four years in a university and never learning a thing. What a waste of time and money. Some would quickly want to know what you did during all those years in school. Did you go to classes? Did you take notes? Did you read the textbooks? Did you do the assignments? It becomes clear after a few questions that you went to school, but you never learned.
Learning is on our part. Learning is something that we have to do. There is an effort that must flow from our hearts.
You did not learn Christ this way. That statement could say, “You simply did not learn Christ.” You don’t know Christ. If you did, you’d be making better choices with your life. But, what a difference it is to have learned. Better character. Better serving. Better hope. Better promises. Better life.
Roger