The Imitation of Christ by Thomas à Kempis is a classic and engaging account about how to live the Christian life on a daily basis. The reader will discover profound wisdom for how to follow Christ.

Christ invites us into a deep and daily intimacy with Himself, and we need only respond to our Beloved to find His presence.  

In our day-to-day lives, we are easily caught up in the concerns of this world. We worry about the future, our jobs, or what other people think of us. When we give ourselves over to these concerns, we inevitably turn in on ourselves. There is a way out. As our study shows, the Christian life is ultimately a life of joy, one focused outward on serving God and others.

This study is a manual. It provides practical steps in how to let go of ourselves and follow Christ. This following is full of paradox. When we remember our death, we discover true life. When we leave behind our self, we find our true self in Christ. Most fully, when we turn from worldly wealth, we discover the abundance of God.

In this summary, you will learn:

  • how to discern and follow the patterns of Christ’s life, death, and resurrection;
  • why joy and discipleship go hand in hand; and
  • how to see the Lord’s Supper as divine food for the Christian journey.

Whoever wants to understand Christ must learn to follow the pattern of His life.

Those who follow Christ do not walk in darkness (John 8:12). The teaching of Christ is greater than any other wisdom. It is “hidden manna.” Whoever wants to understand Christ’s teaching, however, must be willing to follow the pattern of Christ’s life. Learning alone does not make one holy. One becomes holy through living a virtuous life that is pleasing to God. What gain is there in knowing the whole Bible or any other great knowledge if one is not also growing in love of Christ? Wisdom thus lies in turning away from the vanities of the world – the lusts of the body, the desire for a long life, the worry about tomorrow – and seeking the kingdom of God.

A virtuous life is one of humility. We do not think of ourselves as better than others. In fact, true humility enables us to be content with being unknown. The glory of the world fades quickly. True humility lies in charity: renouncing one’s own will for love of God.

Humility also means not clinging stubbornly to your own opinion as well as not believing everything that others say. Instead, seek the counsel of truly wise persons – someone who lives a truly good life before God. In your reading and learning, especially when reading Scripture, do not seek your own reputation. Attend rather to the saints and ancient theologians. God gave them wisdom for a purpose.

Do not seek to be self-reliant but instead aim to trust God. Do not be ashamed to serve others or to seem of little account in the eyes of the world. In fact, aim to associate with the humble and with those who offer edification. Avoid over-familiarity with those whom we imagine would build up our reputation.

We all, of course, are attracted to those who agree with us. Yet who has full knowledge? We ought not be overly bound to our own opinions but be willing to listen to others out of love for God.

The virtue of peace grows in us when we give up being concerned with what others are saying and doing or with meddling or being overly worried about how others regard us. The greatest obstacle to peace is our captivity to false desires. The best way to let go of these desires is to focus first on the small things – for example, the resentful or lustful thought. The saints, we can recall, all suffered from many temptations. Through adversity, they grew in peace and long-suffering. When we are tempted, therefore, we need not despair. God can bring us to firmer ground through adversity.

 

To remember our death is to remember our true life.

To judge another is to labor in vain. We often make errors and are led into sin. To take stock of ourselves, however, is profitable. In all things, we need to desire God above all else. If we do this, the opinion of others will not perturb us. To rely more on Christ than on our own wits or effort is the path to true wisdom.

Any act done in charity, no matter how small, is fruitful. The one who loves much truly accomplishes much. God weighs the love that accompanies our actions, not the act in and of itself. To act out of charity is to seek the common good, not one’s own wants.

Charity includes bearing patiently what one cannot “fix” in others as well as within one’s own self. If, after admonishing another person, he or she does not change, then it is best to commit this concern to God. Often we are so focused on another’s imperfections that we overlook our own. All of us need both the counsel and consolation of others. In bearing one another’s burdens, we are relying upon God, who knows how to overcome evil.

The Christian life is a pilgrimage, one populated by the apostles, the martyrs, and all those who across the generations have walked in the way of Christ. The great pilgrims understood that discipleship involved detachment from the things of this world. They fasted, prayed, and fought to overcome evil habits. They renounced wealth, honor, and even friendship if it was an obstacle to life with God. We, too, through the grace of God, may follow their example.

“Recollect” or examine yourself in the morning and evening. Have you honored God in all things? Seek time to pray and meditate. No one who avoids silence can speak reliably. If an individual does not love obscurity, he will not be faithful in public. True silence feeds virtue and opens one to the truths of God’s Word.

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