But Ye Have Not So Learned Christ
“But ye have not so learned Christ, if so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus.”—Ephesians 4:20, 21
Jesus, the great prophet of his church, speaks to the hearts of his members. This is his superior excellence above all other prophets, for they can only speak to the ear. To attend a preached gospel is our constant duty; but all our profit and happiness arise from hearing the Saviour’s voice to our souls. Under the outward ministry, inwardly to listen to the teachings of his Lord, should be every Christian’s concern. Many cry, ‘Oh what an excellent preacher, what a charming sermon:’ but why? Didst thou hear Jesus speak; did he teach, and hast thou heard somewhat from him? Thou knowest, disciple, though a Paul plants, though an Apollos waters, yet it is the Saviour’s presence and power that give the increase of faith, love, peace and joy.
So the Saviour is pleased to teach, and so his disciples love to learn. Then is it well with the soul; for it refuseth to act and walk after the course of this present evil world; for he says, the Saviour hath taught me better. Why does he take pains to teach me the love of his cross; why hath he instructed me in the truths of his salvation; why hath he made known to my poor heart the unsearchable riches of his grace, redemption in his blood, forgiveness of sins, acceptance with God, and peace and love from him? And do I possess ‘a good hope through grace,’ that as verily as I have learned Christ, heard him, been taught by him, and know the truth as it is in him, I shall soon be with him. After all this, can I walk in the vanity of my mind; can I turn aside from the free-grace truths of the gospel, to have my teeth set on edge with the sour grapes of corrupt human systems? Or canst thou ever think, disciple, that the liberty of the Spirit tends to licentiousness of the flesh, or that grace makes sin less hateful; or that a holy walk and obedient life doth not flow from the doctrines and teachings of our Saviour? Surely, thou must know, that as the work of Jesus’ life and death was to justify sinners, so the teaching of his Spirit is to sanctify them. And verily if this is done inwardly on thy soul, it will be evidenced outwardly in thy life, in separating thyself as a holy vessel, meet for the master’s use, from all sensuality and uncleanness; in ‘putting off the old man with his deeds,’ and in serving our God and Saviour ‘in newness of the Spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter.’ Rom. 7:6.
Order my footsteps by thy word,
And make my heart sincere;
Let sin bare no dominion, Lord,
But keep my conscience clear.
A holy fellowship with thee,
My Lord, may I enjoy;
Thus I may ever learn to be
Dead to all sinful joy.
William Mason (1719-1791) was a High-Calvinist author. For many years he served as a Justice of the Peace, and in 1783 was appointed a Magistrate. He served as editor of the Gospel Magazine before and after the editorship of Augustus Toplady. He is best known for a morning and evening devotional entitled, “A Spiritual Treasury For The Children Of God.”
