Happy New Year All! I hope you are all well and that 2009 will be a grace-filled year for you all! The following is again from the book : The imitation of Christ by Thomas Kemp. From Book 3 Ch. 54 - Interior Conversation.
I found this timely this morning with starting a New Year and everyone wanting to make their New Year Resolutions again! Let u look at what the Lord may want from us this year shall we? May God bless you!
Ch. 54, On the Opposition between Nature and Grace.
Christ: My child, carefully observe the actions of nature and grace, for both move in opposite directions and in such subtle ways as to be indistinguishable except by the spiritually enlightened. All human beings long after goodness and pretend there is some good in what they say or do, that is why many are deceived by an apparent goodness.
2. Nature indeed is wily and betrays many through its deceits and crafty ways, and has always self at its end. On the other hand, grace walks with simplicity, turning aside from all that appears evil . It employs no deceits, but does all unaffectedly, purely for God, in Whom it rests.
3. Nature dies hard and is not easily overcome or repressed. Never under its own accord will it become subject to obedience. But grace studies how to be mortified to both the world and the flesh, desires to be overcome and under obedience, and seeks not its own liberty , nor to dominate any creature. Grace always wants to love under God's direction, and for His sake to place itself humbly under every human creature.
4. Nature always looks to its own advantage, considering what gain it can derive from another. But grace is not concerned with its own profit, but with what may benefit others.
5. Nature looks for honor and respect. Grace refers all honor and reverence to God.
6. Nature fears rebukes and contempt. Grace is happy to suffer for the Name of Jesus.
7. Nature craves ease and idleness. But grace cannot be idle and gladly embraces toil.
8. Nature surrounds itself with rare costly things and looks down upon what is coarse and cheap. Grace takes joy in humble and simple things, but does not disdain hard things, nor refuses to be clad in poor clothing.
9. Nature focuses its attention on worldly matters, is elated in material gains, is downcast by losses, and is cut to the quick by a sharp word. Grace is intent upon things eternal, is not worried by the loss of things, nor grieved by the unkind word; for its treasure and joy are in heaven where nothing is lost.
10. Nature is greedy and gladly takes rather than gives, and clings possessively to private possessions. But grace is kind and unselfish, avoids self-interest, is content with little, and rightly judges that it is more blessed that to receive. (Acts 20:35).
11. Nature is inclined to seek creatures, to the love of its own flesh, to idle pastimes and to unnecessary running about. Grace draws people toward the love of God and virtuous living, renounces all created things, flees the world, despises the lusts of the flesh, restrains all useless wanderings, and avoids as much as possible appearing in public.
12. Nature gladly receives exterior comfort to gratify the senses. Grace seeks comfort only in God, finding delight in the Sovereign Good beyond all things visible.
13. Nature does everything for personal profit, never doing any work for nothing, but always looking for repayment-at least in equal amount, if not better, or else for praise and favor- longs to have its deeds and words highly valued. On the other hand, grace seeks no temporal reward nor any other compensation in payment, but only God himself. Grace will have no more of the necessities of life than that which serves to obtain everlasting life.
14. Nature enjoys having a crowd of relatives and friends, prides itself on the family tree and a distinguished background. Nature flatters the rich and caters to those in power and approves those who share the same opinions as itself.
But grace behaves differently, for it loves even its enemies, and does not boast of having a large circle or friends. It cares not for rank or birth unless joined with greater virtue. It favors the poor rather than the rich; and has more in common with the simple and innocent than with the influential.
It rejoices with the truthful and not with liars. It encourages the good to be zealous to aim higher, and by the exercise of virtues to become more like Christ, our Lord.
15. As soon as trouble and want appear, nature is quick to complain. Grace gladly bears poverty with constancy.
16. Nature refers all things to itself and all its striving is for itself but grace refers all things back to God, who is their Source. Grace is not presumptuous and attributes no good to self; neither does grace argue or prefer its own opinions, but submits to Eternal Wisdom.
17. Nature wants to know secrets and is avid for news, wants to appear in public and to try out new things. It likes to be noticed and to do sensational things to win approval. Grace cares nothing for the novel or curious, for it knows that all this springs from our old corruption, since there is nothing new or lasting upon earth.
Grace teaches us to control our senses, to shun all vain pleasure and outward show, and humbly to hide anything that might win human admiration. In all knowledge and in all actions, grace seeks not only spiritual profit, but, above all, the praise and honor of God, that He may be blessed in His gifts, which He freely bestows through His love.
18. This grace is a supernatural light and a special gift of God. It is the proper mark of the elect and a pledge of eternal salvation. It lifts a person above the things of earth to the love of heavenly things, making a spiritual person of a worldling.
The more nature is kept down and overcome, the more grace fills a human soul, and through new daily visitations the soul is formed more and more to the image of God.
Try this instead of the yearly diet, we have so much more to lose and gain by these acts alone!
God love you!
~Erin
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