Learning Christ

But ye have not so learned Christ.

Ephesians 4:20

The more we learn of Christ and the more we become like Him, the farther out of step we will become with the society around us.  Having said that, mere weirdness and eccentricity are not synonymous with holiness.  Being peculiar does not make us necessarily spiritual.  What is true is that a progressive learning of Christ will put us out of step with those whose mindset is opposed to Christ and His worldview.  Prior to our text for today, Paul has described the thinking and behavior of those who are ‘alienated from the life of God.’  He says they ‘walk in the futility of their mind.’  He says they ‘have their understanding darkened; are ignorant; blind of heart; and ‘past feeling.’  This leads them to ‘lewdness’ and an insatiable ‘uncleanness.’  By contrast to this mindset and the associated behavior, Paul remarks, ‘But you have not so learned Christ.’  Because Christ has taught us of Himself and has set us on the path to becoming like Him, it puts us farther and farther out of sync with others who do not know Him and have learned nothing of Him.  We are of Christ or of the world; one or the other.  Today let us look again to Christ.  As we learn of Him, we will find that He draws us more into His sphere and to reflect His views.  So, we will learn Christ and in due course of time, grow to be like Him.

Our Gracious and Faithful God,
we rejoice that You teach us daily, more of Christ.
We praise You, that as we learn of Him,
Your Holy Spirit enables us,
to draw closer to Him, and to you.

Tomm Tice
Where the Bush is Burning