From The Imitation of Christ – Chapter 7. The one who trusts in people or things instead of God is wasting their life. And don’t rely on yourself but rely on God. Don’t trust in your education or the abilities of people. Instead, trust in God who opposes the proud; God blesses the humble.
Don’t boost your image with your wealth or important friends. Instead, give thanks to God, who is the source of all good things. He is the great giver and even gave himself for us. Don’t think you are wonderful because of your strength or beauty; it only takes one illness or accident to lose them. Don’t be arrogant about your abilities; God is not happy when we take credit for our blessings. He blesses the humble.
Don’t think of yourself as better than others or God will think worse of you. Don’t be proud about your good works. God knows what is in your heart and he judges with different standards than people. Stay humble by assuming others have more virtue than you. It doesn’t hurt to consider yourself lower than others, but it does hurt to exalt yourself above even one other. God blesses the humble with peace, but the proud person lives in envy and anger.
Don’t be ashamed to be a servant to others and even to be poor in this life, all because you love Jesus. Do what you can to follow Jesus and God will bless your intentions.
Today’s post is an interpretation of a chapter of the most popular devotional book in the history of Christianity, The Imitation of Christ. It was written by a monk (or possibly several monks) in the 15th century named Thomas a Kempis. You can view all the posts in this series by selecting “Imitation of Christ” in the categories listing.
