True Learning

“If so be that you have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus.”

The distinction between the Christian and others. “But you.”

There must be this separation as long as the world is “the world.”

The means of this distinction is our discipleship: we have learned Christ, and learned him in a different way from that which satisfies many who profess to know him.

We have not so learned Christ as to be able to profess his name, and yet practice lasciviousness.

We are converted into learners, and are under the tutelage of the Holy Spirit. How we learn is a test question. Some have learned Christ, and yet are not saved, and others have not so learned him, but are truly his disciples.

I. OUR LESSON. “Learned Christ.”

This learning Christ is—

Much more than learning doctrine, precept, or ceremony.

Much more than knowing about Christ, or learning from Christ.

It includes several forms of knowledge.

1. To know him as a personal Christ.

2. To know his nature, and to treat him accordingly.

3. To know his offices, and how to use them.

4. To know his finished work for God and for us.

5. To know his influence over men, and to test it.

6. To know by learning Christ the way to live like him.

II. HOW WE HAVE NOT LEARNED IT.

1. So as to remain as we were before. Unchanged, and yet at peace.

2. So as to excuse sin because of his atonement.

3. So as to feel a freedom to sin because of pardon.

4. So as even to commit sin in Christ’s name.

5. So as to reckon that we cannot conquer sin, and so sit down under the dominion of some constitutional temptation.

6. So as to profess reverence for his name and character, and then think little of the truth which he reveals.

III. HOW WE HAVE LEARNED IT.

We know the truth, and know it in its best light—

1. As directly taught by his own self, and by his own Spirit.

2. As distinctly embodied in his life and character.

3. As it relates to him and honors him.

4. Consequently as it is in him. Truth is in Jesus, indeed and of a truth, for in him everything is real.

5. Consequently as it works a total change in us, and makes us like to him in whom truth is embodied.

   • See, then, that we not only learn of Jesus, but we learn Jesus.
   • It is not enough to hear him and to be taught by him; we want to know himself.
   • Knowing him, we know the truth; for it is in him.

Thoughts

Instead of “if so be that,” many very competent scholars propose to render the original “inasmuch as,” or, “since you have heard,” etc.; for the apostle is not referring to a supposed case, but stating a fact, as verse 20 proves.—W. O’Neill.

He exhorts not to an outward reformation of their converse only, but to that truth and sincerity of sanctification, which the doctrine and power of grace in Christ teaches and works in all true Christians: “If so be,” says he, “you have learned the truth as it is in Jesus.” Which does not, as other doctrines of philosophers, &c., teach you to put off the evils of your outward converse only, and to put on a new conversation over an old nature, as a sheep-skin over a wolfish nature; he who does no more falls short of that truth of grace which Christ requires; but it teaches principally to put off the old man, as the cause of all the evils in the outward converse; and that is his meaning, when he says, “As concerning the outward converse put off the old man,” without which it is impossible to reform the converse.—Thomas Goodwin.

An illustration of the foregoing remarks is found in Lord Chesterfield, who trained his only son, not to abandon vice, but to be a gentleman in the practice of it.

Some persons, instead of “putting off the old man,” dress him up in a new shape.—St. Bernard.

Unsanctified wisdom is the devil’s greatest tool.

A handful of good life is worth a bushel of learning.