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Imitation of Christ,
by Thomas á Kempis: Book 3, Chapter 13
Of the Obedience
of One in Humble Subjection,
After the Example of Jesus Christ
My son, he that
endeavoreth to withdraw himself from obedience, withdraweth himself from
grace; and he who seeketh for himself private benefit (Matt. 16:24), loseth
those which are common. He that doth not cheerfully and freely submit himself
to his superior, it is a sign that his flesh is not as yet perfectly obedient
unto him, but oftentimes kicketh and murmureth against him. Learn thou therefore
quickly to submit thyself to thy superior, if thou desire to keep thine own
flesh under the yoke. For more speedily is the outward enemy overcome, if
the inward man be not laid waste. There is no worse nor more troublesome
enemy to the soul than thou art unto thyself, if thou be not well in harmony
with the Spirit. It is altogether necessary that thou take up a true contempt
for thyself, if thou desire to prevail against flesh and blood. Because as
yet thou lovest thyself too inordinately, therefore thou art afraid to resign
thyself wholly to the will of others. And yet, what great matter is it, if
thou, who art but dust and nothing, subject thyself to a man for God's sake,
when I, the Almighty and the Most Highest who created all things of nothing,
humbly subjected Myself to man for thy sake?
I became of all men the most humble and the most abject (Luke 2:7; John 13:14),
that thou mightest overcome thy pride with My humility. O dust! learn to
be obedient. Learn to humble thyself, thou earth and clay, and to bow thyself
down under the feet of all men. Learn to break thine own wishes, and to yield
thyself to all subjection.
Prayers
for the First Week |
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