By PAT HUTCHENS, A rework of Imitation of Messiah by Thomas A. Kempis— Greatly beloved children of mine, highly favored sons and daughters, I will now show you a great mystery. Focus on it. Learn from it. Pay close attention as I show you the difference between nature and grace, because it is very important…
By PAT HUTCHENS, A rework of Imitation of Messiah by Thomas A. Kempis— If you follow me, you will not walk in darkness” (John 8:12). These are the actual words of Jesus when he was on this earth. Think of it. Here he gives us the answer to darkness, to blind groping in the dark.…
By PAT HUTCHENS, A rework of Imitation of Messiah by Thomas A. Kempis— Learning to obey and be under the authority of others rather than always living to please self and get your own way – that is true greatness. It is far safer to live honorably as a follower rather than always striving to…
By PAT HUTCHENS, A rework of Imitation of Messiah by Thomas A. Kempis— Open not your heart to everyone, but keep your inmost thoughts only for wise people who fear God. Young people need time and strangers are a risk. Do not flatter the rich nor set out to make friends with people in high…
By PAT HUTCHENS, A rework of Imitation of Messiah by Thomas A. Kempis— There is in everyone a natural desire for knowledge, but what good is knowledge without the fear of God? A lowly peasant who serves God is better off than a brilliant, proud philosopher who studies the stars but doesn’t know the One…
By PAT HUTCHENS, A rework of Imitation of Messiah by Thomas A. Kempis— Whenever a person wants anything too much, immediately he or she becomes restless. People who allow pride and greed to rule their lives never get enough. Coveting and inordinate affections lead to agitation and bondage. However, even a poor person with humility…
By PAT HUTCHENS, A rework of Imitation of Messiah by Thomas A. Kempis— Truth is what we are to look for when we read the Bible, not clever or interesting words. The Bible should be read in the same spirit in which it was written – a spirit of humility and total dependence on the…
By PAT HUTCHENS, A rework of Imitation of Messiah by Thomas A. Kempis— Do not put too much stock in what people say, or even in what you yourself think. Instead, with a sense of caution and with much patience, test everything as to whether it is of God. Our own human nature is prone…
By PAT HUTCHENS, A rework of Imitation of Messiah by Thomas A. Kempis— Blessed is the one who reads and does what God says in the Holy Scriptures. Our own judgments and feelings often deceive us and we discern only part of the truth when we do hear it. What good does it do to…
View all of our Imitation of Messiah Revisited articles The book, The Imitation of Christ, has been beside my bed for years. I read it time and time again and somehow never go away unblessed. The message of humility and denial of self found in this book is not unfamiliar to the ancient Hebrew Scriptures…