Contrasting with the self-centered, passion–controlled, Gentile-kind of living, Paul turns to the Ephesian readers (and all Christians everywhere) and writes, “But you.” Their conversion to Christ rendered them completely dissimilar to what they were before faith in Christ. They had come to “learn Christ”—they didn’t just hear about Christ. It was not simply knowledge concerning who Christ was. They learned Him, that is, they came to know Him personally. They became true disciples who not only followed their master’s teachings, but committed to being like Him.

Disciples of Christ, or more simply, followers of Christ, ought not therefore to live like unregenerate Gentiles. Coming to Christ is a not a matter of self-centered, pleasure seeking. Christ is not the object of those lusts and desires. Christ is the antithesis of all that Paul had described Gentiles to be. He was self-sacrificing, loving, patient and disciplined. He had changed their lives.

“If indeed” does not introduce doubt about their salvation. This is what might be called an “if of certainty” or “if of contingency.” The truth of the statement depends on the truth of an antecedent truth. In this case what Paul is saying is this, “If you have heard Him—and we are assuming this to be true in your case…you certainly did not learn Christ that way!” This is a frequent literary method Paul uses to convey truth in a logical manner.

The connection here between knowing Christ and salvation is important. “Truth is in Jesus” (vs. 21). Truth is not a philosophical perspective on life, it is not a collection of truth claims that “correspond to reality.” Nor is truth the territory of mystics and monks who contemplate the universe. Jesus Himself told us about truth, “I am the way, the truth and the life …” (John 14:6). He is the truth; the truth is Christ. “This is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent” (John 17:3). He is the logos of John chapter one, who became a human individual. When Pilate asked, “What is truth?” (John 18:38), little did he realize the answer was literally and physically staring him in the face!

As those who know the truth, that is, who know and follow Jesus, we should avoid falling back into the old non-Christian ways of behaving but rather live the life of Christ, which Paul is now about to address. Is it any wonder that we should fix our eyes on Jesus the author and perfecter of our faith (Heb 12:1).

Lord, thank You for the knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ. Help me to know Him better, for living His life is far better than living the old, non-Christian life.