The Imitation of Christ
Which book will you pick if you can only bring one book along in your journey(apart from the bible)? For me, I will pick 'The Imitation of Christ' written by Thomas Kempis. This is a devotional book that will let you sleep in peace after a day of unrest work, a book that will moisturize your dry and weary heart, and a book that will give you profound insight about life and bring you back to follow Jesus.
This is a book to chew, but not for skim reading; a book that is placed beside your pillow, but not on you shelf; a book that give you counsel and advice for spiritual living and inner life, but not the 7-step or 101 self-help book to succeed in the world.
Below are some quoted passage.
On the Fewness of Those who Love the Cross of Christ (Book 2, Chapter 17)
1.
Jesus has now many who love his heavenly kingdom, but few who carry his cross.
He has many who desire consolation, but few who desire tribulation.
He finds more to share his table, few his fasting.
All wish to rejoice with him, few want to bear anything for him.
Many follow Jesus to the breaking of bread, but few to drinking the cup of suffering.
Many revere his mircales, few follow the shame of his corss.
Many love Jesus so long as adversity does not befall them
Many praise and bless him, so long as they receive some consolations from him.
But if Jesus hide himself and leave them for a littel while, they fall into complaining and deep dejection.
2.
But those who love for Jesus for Jesus's sake, and not for any consolation of their own, bless him in all tribulation and anguish of heart, just as in the highest consolation. And if it is his will never to give consolation, they should nevertheless always praise him, and always wish to be greatful.
...
5. Let him not give great weight to what might appear so to be, but pronounce himself in truth an unprofitable servant, just as the Truth says:'When you have done all that has been bidden you, say: We are unprofitable servants.' Then truely you will be able to be poor and naked in spirit, and with the Prophet say:'I am poor and needy.' Yet no one is richer than he, no one more potent, no one more free, who knows how to abandon self and reckon himself the lowliest.
* * * * * * * * * * * * *
The introduction for this book say that this is a book that has spoken to the centuries and all manner of people. Pope John Paul one was reading it when he passed quietly to rest in bed after his thirty-three day in the office in 1978. Of course, we are just an ordinary and normal person that is treasured in God's eye, yet it is the calling of every christian to try our best to imitate Christ and follow Him in our life journey. That's the essence of the book - The Imitation of Christ
This is a book to chew, but not for skim reading; a book that is placed beside your pillow, but not on you shelf; a book that give you counsel and advice for spiritual living and inner life, but not the 7-step or 101 self-help book to succeed in the world.
Below are some quoted passage.
On the Fewness of Those who Love the Cross of Christ (Book 2, Chapter 17)
1.
Jesus has now many who love his heavenly kingdom, but few who carry his cross.
He has many who desire consolation, but few who desire tribulation.
He finds more to share his table, few his fasting.
All wish to rejoice with him, few want to bear anything for him.
Many follow Jesus to the breaking of bread, but few to drinking the cup of suffering.
Many revere his mircales, few follow the shame of his corss.
Many love Jesus so long as adversity does not befall them
Many praise and bless him, so long as they receive some consolations from him.
But if Jesus hide himself and leave them for a littel while, they fall into complaining and deep dejection.
2.
But those who love for Jesus for Jesus's sake, and not for any consolation of their own, bless him in all tribulation and anguish of heart, just as in the highest consolation. And if it is his will never to give consolation, they should nevertheless always praise him, and always wish to be greatful.
...
5. Let him not give great weight to what might appear so to be, but pronounce himself in truth an unprofitable servant, just as the Truth says:'When you have done all that has been bidden you, say: We are unprofitable servants.' Then truely you will be able to be poor and naked in spirit, and with the Prophet say:'I am poor and needy.' Yet no one is richer than he, no one more potent, no one more free, who knows how to abandon self and reckon himself the lowliest.
* * * * * * * * * * * * *
The introduction for this book say that this is a book that has spoken to the centuries and all manner of people. Pope John Paul one was reading it when he passed quietly to rest in bed after his thirty-three day in the office in 1978. Of course, we are just an ordinary and normal person that is treasured in God's eye, yet it is the calling of every christian to try our best to imitate Christ and follow Him in our life journey. That's the essence of the book - The Imitation of Christ
posted by justanotherbrotherinchrist | 11:19 pm
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