That sounds strikingly similar to the teachings of the New
Testament, one of Thomas’ most frequently quoted sources. Unlike many of his
contemporaries in scholarship, he looked for wisdom from Scripture rather than
the teachings of the Roman church leadership. Needless to say, that did not sit
well with those in authority. Thomas was never granted sainthood by the
Catholic Church, but they did erect a monument dedicated to his memory in
Zwolle where he spent most of his adult life. That monument was placed there on
this day, November 11, 1897, over 400 years after he died. Hmm.
Thomas once said, “"If thou wilt receive profit, read
with humility, simplicity, and faith, and seek not at any time the fame of
being learned." He balanced that with this, "At the Day of Judgement
we shall not be asked what we have read, but what we have done." (The
Imitation of Christ, Book I, ch. 3) There is a clear echo
here of James 1:25. “But the one who looks into the perfect law of liberty
and continues to do it, not being a forgetful hearer but a doer who
acts, this one will be blessed.” That is “practical spirituality.” That is
living the way Jesus instructed in His
last words before the crucifixion: “You are my friends if you do what I
command you…. These things I command you: that you love one
another.”
Enough history. Why does any of this matter beyond
remembering a worthy follower of Christ? It is because Solomon’s
wisdom is being proven true every day. “There is nothing new under the sun.”
What Solomon saw in Old Testament Israel, and Thomas `a Kempis saw over six
hundred years ago is still going on today. There are millions of people in America
who claim to be Christians, yet the only thing they do differently than their
worldly friends is attend church services – sometimes. According
to one poll, people who attend church two or three times a year still
consider themselves to be “regular attenders.” I am not suggesting that church
attendance is the truest measure of one’s faith, but it surely is one measure.
I have often said that if going to church makes you a
Christian, then going to the garage makes you a car. We need to revive the
spirit of Thomas `a Kempis and the Brethren of the Common Life. Among
believers, it should be “common life” to “Live Out Loud” as
Merideth Andrews sings. (Song
lyrics here.) Silent Christians, secret Christians are not true Christians.
“By this everyone will know that you are my disciples—if you have love for one
another,” Jesus said. It is clear from the rest of the New Testament teaching
that the love Jesus commanded was no secret. Hear the word
of John: “Little children, let us not love with word or with tongue, but in
deed and truth.”
If we truly believe that Jesus is our only hope, then that
belief, that faith must show itself in works. James
again: “For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so also faith
without works is dead.” James is also the one who said that it is not enough to
profess faith in Christ; the
demons do that. True faith shows itself in its works. It’s not that the
works save us: “not
from works so that no one can boast.” However, the Bible is clear: saving
faith is testified to by works.
Some people asked Jesus about the works that could save
them. His
answer: “This is the only work God wants from you: Believe in
the one he has sent.” Couple that with His
statement that “When you obey my commandments, you remain
in my love, just as I obey my Father’s commandments and remain in his love.”
The love we have for Jesus, the testimony to our faith in Him demands obedience.
If you believe in Him, you will do what He commands. This is the imitation of
Christ that Paul
spoke of and which Thomas `a Kempis championed. Go thou and do likewise.
Related Posts: Necessary Obedience; The Patience of God; The Church Cannot Save the Lost
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