This chapter of The Imitation Of Christ is primarily concerned with exposing the intrinsic value of Truth along with it’s source, The Word. In so doing, it coincidentally provides the answer to “What is the question?”
“Happy is the one to whom truth comes, not in elusive signs and words, but by an immediate communication of itself (Psalm 94:12). Our own opinions and sense of things will often deceive us; little can be discerned through them.
All things come from the one Word and they reflect their Creator. This same One speaks directly to us. We cannot understand or judge correctly without God. If we embrace the source of all truth – if we trace all things back to Truth and see all things in it – then our heart will be undisturbed and we will be at peace with God.
The more recollected [contemplative, composed] a man is, and the more simple of heart he becomes, the easier he understands sublime things, for he receives the light of knowledge from above. The pure, simple, and steadfast spirit is not distracted by many labors, for he does them all for the honor of God. And since he enjoys interior peace, he seeks no selfish end in anything. What, indeed, gives more trouble and affliction than uncontrolled desires of the heart? A pure, simple, and steadfast spirit is not fragmented, even when employed in many activities, because it does everything to the glory of God and seeks nothing for itself. Our most difficult battle in life is our effort to overcome ourselves. This ought to be our primary business – to conquer self and to advance in holiness daily.
We are truly great if we love greatly…. we are truly wise if we regard all earthly things as rubbish, in order that we may gain Christ (Philippians 3:8). We will be truly learned if we do the will of God and forsake our own foolish ways.”
And then there is this:
“What availeth it to make a great dispute about dark and hidden things; whereas for being ignorant of them we shall not be so much as reproved at the day of judgment? Truly, at the day of judgment we shall not be examined [about] what we have read, but what we have done; not how well we have spoken, but how virtuously we have lived.”
Wait. What?
What is the question? THE question will be “What have you done with the time, treasure, and talent I have given you?”
Truth from The Word: Matthew 25:14-30
Our answer to THE question will elicit one of two responses: “Well done my good and faithful servant” or “throw this useless servant into outer darkness.”
From the #imjustsaying series.