THE DOCTRINE OF CHRIST Devotion 8 of 12 The teaching ministry of Jesus is a matter of revelation. On this matter, we are not thrust upon the interpretations of men. Hear what the Spirit is saying to the churches! "But you did not LEARN CHRIST in this way, if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught in Him, just as truth is in Jesus" (Eph 4:20-21, NASB). – Tomorrow:
"Watch yourselves, that you might not lose what we have accomplished, but that you may receive a full reward. Anyone who goes too far and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God; the one who abides in the teaching, he has both the Father and the Son." (2 John 8-9, NASB)
The language of these verses is intriguing. Literally, they read "But not so have you learned THE Christ; if so be that Him you have heard, and by Him have been taught, as is the truth in Jesus" (Interlinear Bible). There are several things to note in this text.
1 - The SUBJECT of learning is Christ Himself: "learned Christ" (KJV, NKJV, NRSV, Websters, Douay, NAB), "learn Christ" (ASV, NASB, NRSV, NAU), "learnt Christ" (Darby, NJB), and "know Christ" (NIV, NIB). To "learn Christ" is similar to winning or gaining Him (Phil 3:9). It is to "know Him, and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings" (Phil 3:10)
2 - The VEHICLE through which the teaching comes is hearing Jesus Himself: "If so be that ye have heard Him" (KJV, ASV, Douay), "if indeed you have heard Him" (NKJV, NASB, NAU, Webster), "if ye have heard Him" (Darby), "if in fact you gave ear to Him" (BBE), "if so be ye did hear Him" (YLT), and "unless you failed to Hear him properly" (NKJB). There is a sense, then, in which Jesus is heard by the individual. Elsewhere this is called "the hearing of faith" (Gal 3:2,5).
3 - The MEANS through which the learning is appropriated is the teaching of Jesus Himself: "taught by Him" (KJV, NKJV, Webster).
4 - The DOMAIN in which the teaching is accomplished is the Person of Jesus: "as the truth is in Jesus" (KJV, NKJV, RSV, Webster, Douay, Darby), "as truth is in Jesus" (NASB, NRSV, ASV, YLT, NAB), "the truth that is in Jesus" (NIB). Thus, only the person who is "in Christ" is taught BY Christ.
There is no record of the believers in Ephesus ever hearing Jesus while He tabernacled among men. Yet, they are said to have "heard Him," and been "taught by Him." Of course, if Jesus is "speaking from heaven," it is not difficult to receive this word. I understand that our Lord uses means, namely the Gospel, but it is He Himself that effectively teaches the individual. That is what the text says, and that is what it means.
After Jesus made peace, reconciling both Jew and Gentile to God by the cross, He "came and preached peace" to those who were afar off – those who were alienated from God (Eph 2:17).
JESUS IS THE SUBJECT OF PREACHING
Christ Himself is the Subject of all proper preaching and all spiritual learning. If Jesus is not preached, there has been no acceptable preaching. Christ Jesus is the One heard, and He Himself is the appointed environment in which we are effectually taught.
If Jesus is not learned, there has been no acceptable learning! To be sure, you must learn ABOUT Christ. There is no learning FROM Christ if we do not know OF Christ!
Many approaches to religious instruction require no identity with Jesus. Such systems bring a curse to all who embrace them. It is not possible to experience eternally profitable learning apart from the Lord's Christ. Anything and everything disassociated from Jesus must eventually be abandoned. Such things will pass away with the world.
THE SHEEP HEAR HIS VOICE
Jesus taught that His followers recognized and embraced His words. He did not bother to provide an academic explanation for His audience – i.e., NOT in an audible voice, etc. "And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear My voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd" (John 10:16). "My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me" (John 10:27). The people of God do well to take the words of Jesus seriously. There is a way in which the voice of the Lord is heard – effectively heard. Those hearing Christ can thereby distinguish the truth. They are not deceived by subversive words.
The clear implication of Christ's saying is that He shepherds His sheep by His voice! There is an intimacy between Christ and His people that transcends fleshly experience. Hearing the voice of the Good Shepherd is a normality for His sheep.
JESUS CALLS HIS SHEEP BY NAME
The closeness of Christ and His people is precious. He dwells within their hearts by faith (Eph 3:16-17), nourishing them in the "day of salvation" (2 Cor 6:2). "Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. But he that entereth in by the door is the Shepherd of the sheep. To Him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear His voice: and He calleth His own sheep by name, and leadeth them out" (John 10:1-3). Salvation provides personal instruction and guidance. This is not done independently of the Scriptures, but through them. As it is written, "He that is of God heareth God's words: ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God" (John 8:47). Scripture is the appointed means of perfecting, or bringing to maturity, the people of God. "All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, so that everyone who belongs to God may be proficient, equipped for every good work" (2 Tim 3:16-17, NRSV).
However, it is Jesus that uses the means to accomplish effective instruction. He calls His sheep "by name," personalizing the truth of God to their hearts, and leading them in the paths of righteousness of His name's sake. They that hear will live!
Jesus inducted a new age--"the day of salvation'' (2 Cor 6:2). It is an era characterized by spiritual life; i.e., the ability to be sensitive, and joyfully respond, to the Living God. Our Lord spoke of this time – the time in which we are living – prior to His death and resurrection. "Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live" (John 5:25). How challenging these words were to His hearers, but they had better not be too challenging to us!
Those who do NOT hear the voice of Christ are not alive to God! They are not within the circumference of blessing! Their sins are NOT forgiven, and they are "without hope." If these words appear too strong, consider the alternative. If hearing "the voice of the Son of God" is not imperative, then people can enjoy eternal life apart from Jesus. In such a case, He is not "the Way, the Truth, and the Life." Then people can "come to the Father" independently of His Son. Those choosing to embrace such vanity are fools in every sense of the word.
PRAYER POINT: Father, in Jesus name I thank You for a profound Teacher that has access to my profound inner person.