The objective of the lesson: To stress the importance of 'learning' Christ in Christian existence.
Everyone has to develop a view of what his or her adult life is about. There is no doubt that your cultural framework significantly affects that view. There is no doubt that the possibilities within the framework of your social and economic situation powerfully influence that view.
Everyone does have a personal view of the purpose of life--whether he or she recognizes it or not. Usually that view provides the person with his or her 'compass' on how to use and focus life.
Yet, within your cultural, social, and economic framework, you are confronted with a number of possibilities. We all need to understand that possibilities confronting a person poverty bound by the caste system of India and possibilities confronting a person who is part of a wealthy, influential family in Europe are quite different. However, it is still true that the person decides, "Who will I be and what will I be" [within the framework of my possibilities].
We all face and cope with some limiting factors. No one's situation [arguably] is ideal. Yet, with the limitations of our personal situations, we all decide the kind of person we wish to be. We may decide, "I do not want to be like him or her," or, we may decide, "I do want to be like him or her," or we may choose our own direction and goals, but we choose and decide.
Our primary concern lies within the social and economic opportunities confronting us in our American sub-culture. [As an example, the situation for numerous Americans whose roots are in Spanish speaking countries, Asian countries, native American origins, or other countries differ within this nation.] Yet, every person in this nation must decide, "Who am I? To what do I aspire?" Is the primary orientation of my life the role others would thrust upon me? Is it pleasure? Is it power? Is it power in money, or power in lawlessness, or power in personal influence, or power in some form of success, or power in education, or power in occupation? Will I base my concept of who I am on other's opinion of me or on my opinion of myself? Will I just follow the influences around me ["go with the flow"] or will I follow my own moral compass? If I follow my own moral compass, what is the foundation of my value system?
The decision of who and what I am is inescapable. The American culture is big on blaming 'my' mistakes on others. It often stresses evading personal responsibility. Yet, some who experience horrible backgrounds become truly worthwhile people whose lives bless others.
Note how Paul used the value system in orienting the moral compass of converted gentiles. First he asked them to remember who they were (a) when they had incorrect concepts of divinity and (b) before they met Jesus Christ. He specifically asked them to remember the type of influences those two things has on their minds and behavior. Second, he called to their attention to the fact that learning correct concepts of God by understanding who and what Jesus Christ was [and is] changed them as people. The message concerning Jesus Christ did NOT say, "Wonderful decision to be in futility and darkness! Futility and darkness are excellent states of existence! Continue to be what you are in your ignorance and (a) your life will be wonderful and (b) lead to a very desirable conclusion."
Conversion to Christ commonly involves resetting the person's moral compass--conversion often changes the North direction! Often what was considered good becomes evil, and what was considered evil becomes good. In such situations, one must remember who and what he or she was prior to the influence of Jesus Christ before he or she can determine the urgency of learning new concepts. Conversion to Christ is not a call to 'live as you please.'
Rather, Paul called their attention to the fact what confirming a lifestyle that was (a) ignorant of the living God and (b) enslaved to behaviors that opposed God was NOT what they learned when they learned about the Christ. And they knew it! The objective of learning about Jesus Christ involved the challenge to deliberately leave the old lifestyle and embrace a new lifestyle that had to be learned. This challenge was a part of learning about Jesus Christ! In fact, if they wanted to know the truth about how to live and life's purpose, they had to learn about Jesus!
Christians sometimes need to be reminded of the contrast of life before Christ and life after Christ. It is a learning process, not an involuntary, instantaneous change.
Two long discussed questions [for about a century] are (1) what is the core of the gospel [good news] and (2) what is the core of learning Jesus Christ. Those questions are not as simply answered as might first be perceived. Evidently, John the baptizer preached the gospel to Jewish audiences by focusing on the expected kingdom (Matthew 3:2; Mark 1:1, 4; Luke 3:2, 3) and that seems to have been the early message of Jesus as well (Mark 1:14, 15; Matthew 4:17). Paul's letters to gentile congregations focused on God's redemption achievements in Jesus Christ (for example, consider Philippians 3:8-12). Please remember that Jewish Christians like Paul, Barnabas, Silas, Timothy, Aquila, Priscilla, etc. did not represent the majority view among Jewish Christians (consider Acts 14:24-15:5 and 20:20-22). In the New Testament, there is not a letter [book] directed to a Jewish Christian congregation in the manner that Paul directed his letters [books] to gentile Christian congregations. In fact, he clearly stated in Romans 14 that Jewish Christians in Rome did not need to express their faith as did gentile Christians in Rome, and gentile Christians in Rome did not have to express their faith as did Jewish Christians in Rome.
It is not unusual for it to take a Christian a while to realize these questions represent legitimate concerns for a Bible student who looks to scripture for guidance. Christians always [from the beginning of Christianity] had difficulty accepting those who place faith in Christ but are not 'just like me.'
The following is suggested on the basis of Paul's New Testament writings:
Paul addressed these matters in ways other writers did not.
(1) "Learning Christ" would radically change a person's view of deity. Consider Acts 17:22-28, a statement from Paul. No longer could God be represented as a human artistic expression. He must be seen as Creator. "Learning Christ" would include a radical change in the concept of deity from an idolatrous view to a Creator view (consider Romans 1:18-23).
To change a person inwardly, he or she must change his or her view of God. We do Christ's church a great disservice when we attempt to reduce the message of the gospel to a process rather than realizing it is about a person [Jesus].
(2) "Learning Christ" would understand that God's purposes were to involve a human response to God. God was not aloof and unconcerned about human affairs (see 1 Kings 18:27 and Romans 5:1-11). He was and is infinitely concerned about us, infinitely involved in our affairs.
The fact that we respond to God's gifts in Jesus does not make them any less gifts. Obedience is motivated by appreciation. It is not an attempt to earn God's gifts. God loves us enough to give us incredible gifts!
(3) "Learning Christ" would involve understanding God's value system. The Gospel of John repeatedly makes the point that God was the source of Jesus' teachings, values, and actions (John 4:34; 5:19, 30; 6:38; 8:28; 12:49, 50; 14:10). When one heard [hears] the concepts/values of Jesus, he or she hears the concepts/values of God. Consider Matthew 12:7.
To become a part of God's family through Christ involves the desire to live by His values and not my own.
(4) "Learning Christ" would involve living a new lifestyle. The behavior condoned by and often encouraged by idolatry would have no place in one's Christian existence. Consider Colossians 3:1-11. Lifestyle changes are not made quickly or by accidental convenience.
When my values change, my lifestyle must change.
(5) "Learning Christ" would involve learning a new purpose for existence. The Christian focuses on life after death, not physical existence before death. Consider 1 John 2:15-17 and Romans 12:2; 8:12, 38-39.
When my values and lifestyle change, my purpose for living must change.
For Thought and Discussion
Every person must develop a view of what his or her adult life is about.
Every person must decide, "Who and what will I be?"
Most people's primary concerns lie within social and economic opportunities.
Paul asked them to remember who they were when they had incorrect concepts of God prior to meeting Jesus Christ.
He called their attention to the fact that learning correct concepts of God and learning who and what Jesus Christ was changed them as people.
These were not what they learned from [about] the Christ.
What is the core of the gospel? What is the core of learning about Jesus Christ?
The discussion should include this first century Jewish conviction: gentiles can become Christians only if they first are proselytes to Judaism. The focus was on the appropriate way to get idolatry [paganism] out of gentiles.
vIt would involve living a new lifestyle.
Link to Student Guide
Lesson 3