Reflecting on Ephesians 4:20-21 in Everyday Language
Understanding What It Means to “Learn Christ”
When Paul wrote to the Ephesians, he painted a pretty grim picture of the world they lived in—a world full of corruption, selfishness, and all kinds of wrong. But then he turned to the Christians in Ephesus and said, “That’s not what you learned when you learned about Christ.” In other words, following Jesus is meant to look completely different from the brokenness and emptiness around us.
But Paul’s words go deeper than that. He doesn’t just say, “Learn about Jesus,” as if we’re studying for a test. He says, “Learn Christ.” That’s a very personal way of putting it. It’s not just about knowing facts or memorizing what Jesus said—it’s about knowing Him, the Person, and letting who He is shape who we are.
Why Jesus Is More Than Just a Teacher
Think about how we usually approach learning. We might pick up a new skill or subject, learn from an expert, and then move on. But with Jesus, it’s different. You can’t separate what He taught from who He is. His life, His choices, His character—they are the lesson. He didn’t just talk about love, patience, or kindness; He lived them out perfectly.
So, when Paul says we “learn Christ,” he means we look at Jesus’ life as the perfect example of how we’re meant to live. He’s not just giving us rules; He’s inviting us to watch Him, to study Him, and to try to become like Him. The Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John) give us snapshots of Jesus’ life—not as a distant, unreachable ideal, but as a living, breathing person who shows us what true goodness looks like.
Christ as Our Living Teacher
But Jesus isn’t just a lesson in history or a perfect example from long ago. Paul says we can still “hear Him” and be “taught by Him” even though we don’t see Him with our eyes. For the Ephesians, and for us today, that means Jesus is still speaking to us—through the Bible, through our conscience, through the Holy Spirit working in our hearts.
It’s not just about reading what Jesus said and did. It’s about letting Him guide us in our everyday decisions. When you feel that gentle nudge to do the right thing, to be more patient, or to forgive someone, that’s Jesus continuing to teach you personally. The Christian life isn’t about trying harder on your own; it’s about listening to His voice and letting Him shape your heart.
Staying Connected: “In Christ”
Paul uses a phrase over and over again: “in Christ.” It means that we’re meant to stay close to Jesus, like a branch attached to a tree. If we drift away or forget about Him, we’ll find it hard to live the way He wants us to. But when we stay connected—by thinking about Him, reading the Gospels, praying, and trying to follow His example—we start to change from the inside out.
It’s not about following a bunch of rules. It’s about letting His life flow into ours. The more we focus on Him, the more we’ll start to think, act, and love like He does.
The Result: Living Differently
Paul says that truly learning Christ means our lives will look different from the world around us. It’s not about being weird for the sake of being weird or making a show of being “better” than others. It’s about quietly, steadily living out values that come from Jesus—honesty, kindness, self-control, love—even when those values aren’t popular.
Sometimes, that might mean saying “no” to things everyone else is doing. Other times, it might just mean going about our everyday lives—at work, at home, with friends—in a way that’s shaped by Jesus’ love and selflessness. The world doesn’t always understand or appreciate this, but it’s the natural result of being close to Him.
Practical Takeaways
· Study Jesus’ Life: Read the Gospels and pay attention to how Jesus treated people, how He handled tough situations, and what mattered most to Him.
· Listen for His Voice: Be open to those moments when your conscience nudges you or you sense you should act with more love or patience. That’s Christ teaching you.
· Stay Connected: Make time to pray, to think about Jesus, and to ask for His help in your daily life. Staying “in Him” is how real change happens.
· Let Your Life Show the Difference: Don’t worry about standing out for the wrong reasons. Just focus on living out Christ’s values, and the difference will speak for itself.
Final Thoughts
In the end, being a Christian isn’t just about learning what Jesus taught; it’s about learning Him—letting His example and His voice shape who we are. As we stay close to Him, we become more like Him. That’s how the world sees the difference, and that’s how we experience the life and peace He promises.
Minister A Francine Green
February 2026
afrancinegreen.com 