The Imitation of Christ by Tomas a Kempis. After reading the first few chapter of the book, I realized how much depth there is to it. In an effort to absorb the truths and not just skim over them, I am going to summarize each chapter as we read through them.
Book One -Admonitions Profitable for the Spiritual Life
Chapter One – Of the Imitation of Christ and of Contempt of the World and all it’s Vanities
John 8:12 “When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”
How does a person live a successful life? He must follow the truth of John 8:12 and imitate his life after Christ’s. The practical way to do this is to read and study the Bible over any other book. But, to study it is not the end in itself. Christ’s life needs to chance you from the inside out.
If you know the Bible but do not practice it, what good is that? You don’t become holy by how much you know, but by how you live. Kempis goes on to say, “I had rather feel contrition than be skilful in the definition thereof.”
You also need to not seek riches, popularity, sinful desires and long life. Rather seek a good life and focus on what is eternal and not what is in the moment.
Love the idea of feeling contrition as opposed to intellectually understanding it. What kind of book is this? Do you read it with your kids? Or just for you?
It’s a devotional. We are each reading a chapter a day and then summarizing that chapter on our blogs.
Awesome way to use blogs!!
I thought so too – thanks for the great idea! 😉