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The Imitation of Christ

Chapter 80: CHAPTER XXXVII
By à Kempis Thomas
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About This Book

The work is a devotional manual composed of brief, focused chapters grouped into books that guide readers toward interior Christian discipleship. It urges imitation of Christ through humility, contempt for worldly vanities, regular Scripture reading, prayer, silence, obedience, self-examination, and patience. Practical counsels address resisting temptation, bearing others' faults, meditating on death and judgment, embracing suffering, and cultivating inward consolation and love of God. Emphasis falls on simple, moral transformation rather than theological speculation, offering maxims and reflective exercises to deepen prayerful attention and steady the soul toward persistent devotion and humble service.

CHAPTER XXXVII

Of pure and entire resignation of self, for the obtaining liberty of heart

“My Son, lose thyself and thou shalt find Me. Stand still without all choosing and all thought of self, and thou shalt ever be a gainer. For more grace shall be added to thee, as soon as thou resignest thyself, and so long as thou dost not turn back to take thyself again.”

2. O Lord, how often shall I resign myself, and in what things shall I lose myself?

3. “Always; every hour: in that which is little, and in that which is great. I make no exception, but will that thou be found naked in all things. Otherwise how canst thou be Mine and I thine, unless thou be inwardly and outwardly free from every will of thine own? The sooner thou dost this, the better shall it be with thee; and the more fully and sincerely, the more thou shalt please Me, and the more abundantly shalt thou be rewarded.

4. “Some resign themselves, but with certain reservations, for they do not fully trust in God, therefore they think that they have some provision to make for themselves. Some again at first offer everything; but afterwards being pressed by temptation they return to their own devices, and thus make no progress in virtue. They will not attain to the true liberty of a pure heart, nor to the grace of My sweet companionship, unless they first entirely resign themselves and daily offer themselves up as a sacrifice; without this the union which bringeth forth fruit standeth not nor will stand.

5. “Many a time I have said unto thee, and now say again, Give thyself up, resign thyself, and thou shalt have great inward peace. Give all for all; demand nothing, ask nothing in return; stand simply and with no hesitation in Me, and thou shalt possess Me. Thou shalt have liberty of heart, and the darkness shall not overwhelm thee. For this strive thou, pray for it, long after it, that thou mayest be delivered from all possession of thyself, and nakedly follow Jesus who was made naked for thee; mayest die unto thyself and live eternally to Me. Then shall all vain fancies disappear, all evil disturbings, and superfluous cares. Then also shall immoderate fear depart from thee, and inordinate love shall die.”