Ephesians 4:20-21 But you have not so learned Christ;… I. LET US GLANCE AT THE TRUTH IN JESUS. 1. The life of Jesus opposed and contradicted that which was false and wrong; and in this respect the truth was in Jesus. Ask ye me — "And what was false and wrong?" We answer, Christ scarcely found anything true and right. Himself was in perpetual collision. 2. Jesus embodied the truth of truth's symbols. Certain ordinances from the day of Abel were symbols of truth. Jesus Christ was that which these symbols signified. There had been offerings for sin — the blood of bulls and of goats — of lambs and calves — the ashes of heifers. These sacrifices were the figures of the true. He abolishes old carnal sacrifices by being Himself the real sacrifice. And thus the truth of Sacrifice is in Jesus. 3. Jesus spake truth — that which, on account of its importance to man, is The Truth. This will appear in the following circumstances. (1) The truth that is in Jesus is eternal. Eternal truth — that was within God before there was a creature to be spoken to by God. (2) The truth in Jesus is also in harmony with all truth, and with the whole nature of Him who created all things, and by whom all things consist — it is in accordance with the one Infinite Mind that is expressed. on the star and on the flower, by the Seraph and by the insect. (3) It is universal truth. And truth worthy of all acceptation — so attractive to angels that they stretch their faculties to look into it, and so important to man that, sown broadcast on the earth, it will change the wilderness into a fruitful field. (4) Almighty truth — a hammer that will break a rock, and a fire that will burn all before it as stubble; and living truth — the incorruptible seed of a new birth, and the principle of an eternal life. II. LET US SHOW WHAT CANNOT BE LEARNED BY THOSE WHO HAVE ONLY HEARD AND BEEN TAUGHT BY CHRIST. 1. Nothing childish can be learned of Christ. And the becoming a little child does not mean becoming weak and little. What Christ here enforces is modesty, teachableness, candour, simplicity, freedom from lawless ambition, a loose hold of surrounding objects. 2. A shifting and accommodating creed is not learned of Christ. His doctrines are not like inconstant, changeable gusts of wind, or even like steady trade winds. They are light, not wind — knowledge of truth arising in the midst of the darkness of ignorance, and shining brighter and brighter unto day. 3. Pious frauds are not learned of Christ. Truth is in Jesus; and ye have not learned to use artifice, cheating, and deceit in religion, if ye have heard and been taught by Him. 4. A literal and carnal interpretation of Christ's laws is not learned of Christ. 5. Truth framed according to system is not learned of Christ. 6. Nothing contrary to the God-like can be learned of Christ. The doctrines Christ taught were Divine. The works Christ performed were Divine. The life Christ lived was Divine. All notions and ideas received from Him are light of God's light. The character which His influence forms is in the likeness of God. The course of conduct which He marks out is an embodiment of the will of God. (S. Martin, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: But ye have not so learned Christ; |
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