Compare and Contrast the Following

Thomas a'Kempis is very good at giving us alternatives and comparisons.  In the middle of this chapter on Judgment, he makes a basic statement on sin and the bleakness of its punishment, and then offers a series of comparisons between the saved and the damned. He lifts up the humble and suffering of this world and offers a picture of them coming into glory.  It's almost an expanded version of the comparisons laid out in the Beatitudes (Matt 5).  This also reminds me of a recent reading from Joshua 24:14-15, where Joshua makes a list of the history of the Israelites and how God had been present to them  and saved them.  And from time to time how the Israelites strayed from Him:

“Now, therefore, fear the LORD and serve him completely and sincerely. Cast out the gods your ancestors served beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the LORD. 15o If it is displeasing to you to serve the LORD, choose today whom you will serve, the gods your ancestors served beyond the River or the gods of the Amorites in whose country you are dwelling. As for me and my household, we will serve the LORD.”

In the same way, Thomas is telling us to cast out our sins now and serve The Lord.

Book 1, Chapter 24, Continued:

4. Each sin has its own torments:  The proud shall be filled with utter confusion. The covetous shall be pinched with miserable poverty. An hour's pain there shall be more sharp than a hundred years here of the most rigorous penitence here.

While in this present life there sometimes is relief from pain, and encouragement of the solace of friends, in that place there shall be no quiet and no comfort for the lost.

Therefore, be anxious now and sorrowful for your sins, that in the day of judgment you may be bold with the saints:

• “For then shall the righteous stand in great boldness before the face of those who have afflicted you and made no account of your labors (Wis. 5:1).”

• Then shall you stand up to judge, he who now submits himself in humility to the judgments of men.

• Then shall the poor and humble have great confidence, while the proud is taken with fear on every side.

5. Then shall it be seen that it was the wise in this world who learned for Christ’s sake to be foolish and despised.

• Then shall all tribulation patiently borne delight us, while the mouth of the ungodly shall be stopped (Ps 107:42).

• Then shall godly rejoice, and the profane mourn.

• Then the afflicted flesh shall more rejoice than if it had been always nourished in delights.

• Then the humble garment shall put on beauty, and the precious robe shall hide itself as vile.

• Then shall the poor cottage shall be more commended than the gilded palace.

• Then enduring patience shall have more might than all the power of theworld.

• Then simple obedience shall be more highly exalted than all worldly wisdom.

Next time, Thomas will continue this comparison and draw some conclusions about our behavior.

Until then, thanks for praying along with me.  Be imitators of Christ!
tim