A note from our pastor:

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

Ephesians 4:21

Good Morning Dearly Beloved,

Our verse for meditation today, Ephesians 4:21, serves as a transition for the Apostle from telling his readers how the disciples mind is formed to instructing the disciples on how to live. In prior verses, the Apostle has established an understanding regarding the necessity for the disciple to know and understand Christ. In the following verses, the Apostle is going to instruct the disciple in matters concerning living as a follower of Jesus Christ.

The Apostle begins this verse with the words “if so”, but these words do not reflect a doubt on the part of the Apostle. The words are being used in a rhetorical sense. He knows the audience he is speaking to has in fact heard and been taught Christ through his teachings. Rather, the rhetorical use of the words “if so” is an affirmation of their standing as disciples.

In other words, this transition verse is saying, seeing how you have heard Christ, learned Christ, and know the truth which is in Jesus, now I am going to give you instruction on how to apply this knowledge.

The same transition is needful for the disciple today. Pastors certainly have a duty to preach the doctrine and the core tenets of the truth of Jesus Christ. The local assembly, with regular preaching by a pastor, is vital in fulfilling this need. However, there must also be a transition from teaching doctrine to practical application. The disciple of Christ does not live in a void but rather must know how to apply the truth of Jesus Christ to their daily walk.

The transition in Ephesians 4:21 is a model for how the disciple of Christ should approach their spiritual learning. Spiritual learning is a continuous cycle of learn, meditate, apply, question. When the questioning begins then the cycle repeats. Stagnation in this process is unhealthy spiritually.

May we all learn from this verse to first be established in the truth of Jesus and then apply his truth to our lives.

Our Prayers are with you daily,

Brother Jeremiah