“But that is not the way you learned Christ!”
So says the Apostle Paul in Ephesians 4:20. He had just described how, apart from Christ, humanity has descended into darkness, ignorance, and ultimately what he calls sensuality and impurity—by which he means sexual sin.
Paul could have responded, “those things lead to death” or “the wrath of God is coming upon the world for those things,” but he chooses a different approach. He says, “That’s not what you learned in Jesus! That’s not the sort of life you found in Jesus. That’s not what you picked up from Jesus!”
Coming to Jesus is to enter into a new world, one governed by new standards and looking for new direction from God our Creator. Paul calls this the “new self,” which is being renewed “after the likeness of God.”
And if we have seen that light, if we have encountered God in Christ, if we have known peace and joy in Jesus, then why would we turn back to darkness, ignorance, and hardness of heart?
We would be like a student driver who listens carefully to the instructions about looking left-right-then left again before making a left turn—but goes out and does otherwise. That is not the way you learned to drive!
Paul challenges us to ask: Do my thoughts, words, and deeds fit with the person I became in Jesus?
Does holding that grudge, or indulging that spirit of comparison, or letting my anger explode, or using my words to tear down, or indulging my lusts—fit with the glory revealed to me in Jesus Christ? Or am I turning back to the failed world of sinful passions? Am I returning to ignorance about God’s goodness?
You, dear Christian, know so much better than to fall for the allure of sin. That is not the way you learned Christ.
Please join with me, as we confess our sins and look again to Jesus.
Prayer of Confession
O Lord, please reveal to us our “old self,” which “belongs to our former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires.” Show us afresh how we have turned away from the good you set before us.
Teach us, Lord, that we have put on the “new self, created after the image of God in true righteousness and holiness.”
We ask (with Paul) that you keep us from speaking falsehood, from sinning in our anger, from stealing, and from speaking corrupting words. Please keep us from bitterness, wrath, anger and slander.
Please show us afresh your glory in Jesus Christ. Show us that what we have learned in Christ is so much better than everything we have known. Remind us that by the gift of the Holy Spirit, you are renewing us day by day, and preparing for us an eternal weight of glory.
Forgive us, O God, according to your abundant mercy. And lead us in this time of silent confession…