Christian Realities

Greetings,

      This Lent we are thinking about how to have a closer walk with Jesus in our daily lives.  One of the greatest devotional works in Christian history is The Imitation of Christ, which was probably written by Gerard Groote.  Groote was great preacher whose appeal for a renewal of religious life aroused Holland as no other voice in his century.  He inspired a remarkable spiritual group called the Brethren of the Common Life, devout laymen who banded together to encourage one another in the living of this more intense life of following Christ.  Groote may have written Imitation shortly before his death in 1374.  It was edited and published by Thomas à Kempis.

1. On Following Christ

      “He that followeth me walketh not in darkness,” saith the Lord.  These are the words of Christ, by which we are taught to imitate his life and manners, if we would be truly enlightened, and be delivered from all blindness of heart.  Let therefor our chief endeavor be to meditate upon the life of Christ…Whosoever would fully and feelingly understand the words of Christ must endeavor to conform his life wholly to the life of Christ…Surely great words do not make a man holy and just; but a virtuous life maketh him dear to God.

      Some have me in their mouths, but little in their hearts.

      Thou hast good cause to be ashamed in looking upon the life of Jesus Christ, seeing thou hast not as you endeavored to conform thyself more unto him, though thou hast been a long time in the way of God.

      For a small income a long journey is undertaken; for ever-lasting life many will scarce once lift a foot from the ground.

      It thou wilt reign with me, bear the cross with me.  For only the servants of the cross can find the way of blessedness and of true light.

     

      I have begun, I may not go back, neither is it fit to leave that which I have undertaken.  Courage then, brethren, let us go forward together.  Jesus will be with us…He will be our helper who is also our guide and forerunner.

Prayer: O Lord Jesus, forasmuch as thy life was narrow and despised by the world, grant me to imitate thee, though the world despise.  Let thy servant be exercised in thy life, for therein consisteth my salvation and my true holiness.  Amen.

Yours & His,

DED