This summer we're going to be posting excerpts from a translation of The Imitation of Christ by Thomas a Kempis. This particular translation was done by Donald E. Demaray, a former Asbury professor and great friend of the seminary. His translation took this great work of Kempis and edited and paraphrased it into poetic form. Here is the opening section of Book One: "How Life With God Works":
1. "Those who follow me don't walk in darkness." (John 8:12)
These words tell us to imitate Christ in life and
behavior.
Just here lies the way we find light and avoid dark.
So now we have our assignment:
Meditate on Jesus.
2. Christ's teaching outstrips all other teachings
and God's Spirit will teach you Christ's secrets.
Few secrets come to His people
not filled with His Spirit
--even with repeated hearing of the Gospel.
The clue to understanding Christ?
Conform 100% to His life.
3. Do you really think good will come
from your complex arguments about the Trinity
if you do not open yourself humbly?
Great words won't make you holy;
A good life makes you God's dear friend.
It's better to repent than define repentance.
Suppose you memorize the whole bible
plus the philosophers?
What good would that do
without God's love and grace?
Hollow! Hollow! All is hollow
except loving God and serving Him only--
This is the highest wisdom;
This is the Kingdom of heaven;
This the world hates.
4. Therefore, seeking the riches that perish
and trusting in wealth that comes to an end--
well! that's profitless, that's hollow.
Also, striving for honor and climbing the success ladder--
well! that's profitless, that's hollow too.
More, following the desires of your animal nature,
striving for what gives you a hangover--
well! that's profitless, that's hollow.
More yet, living only for this life
and failing to make yourself ready for eternal life--
well! that's profitless, that's hollow.
5. Remind yourself often of this proverb:
"What your eyes see and
what your ears hear
will not bring meaning to your life."
(Ecclesiastes 1:8)
Therefore, cultivate taste not for the merely sensual
but for real spiritual substance.
Why?
Lusts stains your conscience;
they rob you of God's grace.
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