Educators talk about “teachable moments,” random times outside school assignments and classrooms when a truth about life can be learned. The Spirit of God is our teacher, leading us into truth (John 16:13), and if you are truly God-oriented, the Spirit’s teaching is not confined to church. Following this world’s news provides moments of learning, contrasts of the eternal to much that surrounds us in our present life. Johann Arndt, a German pastor who lived from 1555 to 1621, sized up what he saw in his day. The most basic things never change. Is the daily news your teachable moment? Can you hear the Spirit’s Word contrasting the kingdom of this world to the kingdom of Christ?
“When the present world’s life is compared with Christ’s life and doctrine, we can conclude that most of the world’s life is contrary to Christ. What else is the worldly life but greed, concern for security, lust of the flesh and eye, and prideful living? This, now, is the world: great earthly honor, wide reputation, a big name, disloyalty, contention, war, unchastity, enmity, curiosity in word and work, fraud, falseness, and calumny. In short, the lives of world-children are today nothing but world-love, self-love, vain-glory, and self-seeking.
“Contrariwise, Christ’s life is nothing else but pure sincere love of God and neighbor, friendliness, meekness, humility, patience, loyalty to the death, mercy, righteousness, truth, purity, holiness, contempt for the world and its lust and wealth, denial of self, a steady cross, tribulation and affliction, continual search for God’s kingdom, and a fervent desire to fulfill God’s will.
“Where are true Christians? They are but a small flock in a little vineyard cottage. Only God know where they are. Yet Christ dwells with them and among them until the world’s end.” (Devotions and Prayers of Johann Arndt, 22).
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