The Imitation of Christ · Theme
Grace and Divine Dependence
How The Imitation of Christ develops Grace and Divine Dependence.
A major theme is the absolute necessity of God's grace for any good work, progress in virtue, or resistance to sin, teaching that without grace human nature is powerless and all merit must be ascribed to God alone.
Where it surfaces
- Dedication
The prayer for the Spirit to inspire the dedicatee emphasizes reliance on divine grace.
- Of the danger of superfluity of words
Emphasizes watching and praying to prevent idle time, relying on God's help to guard the lips.
- Of seeking peace of mind, and of spiritual progress
God is always ready to help those who strive and trust in Him, providing occasions for victory.
- Of Resisting Temptation
The chapter urges crying out to God for help and trusting in His provision of a way of escape.
- Of the exercises of a religious man
The resolution of the righteous depends more on God's grace than on their own wisdom, and man proposes but God disposes.
- Of the Zealous Amendment of Our Whole Life
The chapter teaches that labor is lighter because of God's grace, and that one must commit all to God's will.
- Of Lowly Submission
The chapter emphasizes reliance on God's help and grace, stating that God defends and delivers those who resign themselves to Him.
- Of a Pure Mind and Simple Intention
The transformation of the soul from sloth to fervor is described as a work of turning wholly unto God, implying reliance on divine grace to become a new man.
- Of Self-Esteem
Highlights the lack of grace and understanding in humans, pointing to dependence on God.
- Of loving Jesus above all things
The disciple is urged to commit to Jesus' faithfulness and to seek Jesus in all things, relying on Him alone.
- Of the Intimate Love of Jesus
Highlights that without grace one is poor and weak, and with grace one can do all things.
- Of the lack of all comfort
Highlights the need to rely solely on God's grace and mercy when human and divine comforts are withdrawn.
- Of Gratitude for the Grace of God
The chapter centers on gratitude for God's grace, the necessity of humility to receive it, and the danger of pride that leads to its withdrawal.
- XII: Of the Royal Way of the Holy Cross
The strength to bear the cross comes not from human nature but from the grace of Christ, which empowers the weak flesh.
- What the Truth Saith Inwardly Without Noise of Words
The disciple acknowledges that without God's direct action, human teachers and scriptures profit nothing; only God gives understanding, strength, and the increase.
- Of the Wonderful Power of the Divine Love
The narrator acknowledges being weak in love and imperfect, needing to be strengthened, comforted, and cleansed by God's grace.
- Of the Proving of the True Lover
The disciple is encouraged to trust in God's more abundant grace after failure and to avoid vain confidence.
- Of Hiding Our Grace Under the Guard of Humility
The chapter emphasizes that grace is given by God's will alone, and the disciple must not presume on it but trust in God's timing and purpose.
- Of a low estimation of self in the sight of God
The Disciple acknowledges that without God's look he is nothing and weak, but with divine grace he is made strong and filled with new joy.
- That all things are to be referred to God, as the final end
Emphasizes that every good comes from God and that without Him, man has nothing; all virtue and blessings are ascribed to divine grace.
- Chapter X: That it is sweet to despise the world and to serve God
The narrator acknowledges that all he has is from God, and that God's grace and friendship are beyond all deserving.
- Of meditation upon the hidden judgments of God, that we may not be lifted up because of our well-doing
All holiness, wisdom, strength, and purity are shown to be gifts of God's grace, without which humanity is lost.
- How we must stand and speak, in everything that we desire
The prayer explicitly asks for grace to enable the disciple to desire and do only what pleases God.
- XVII
The disciple explicitly casts all care upon God, acknowledging that human judgment is insufficient and that divine care surpasses all self-care.
- That Temporal Miseries Are to Be Borne Patiently After the Example of Christ
The disciple acknowledges that the present life is made full of merit and easier through Christ's grace and example.
- Of bearing injuries, and who shall be approved as truly patient
The disciple prays for grace to make patience possible, acknowledging that by nature he is unable to bear trials, and that all endurance comes from God.
- Of the recollection of God's manifold benefits
All gifts, natural and supernatural, are from God; without Him nothing can be possessed, and gratitude is the proper response.
- XXIX
The disciple acknowledges inability to escape trouble without God's help and calls upon His omnipotent arm for deliverance.
- Of Seeking Divine Help, and the Confidence of Obtaining Grace
The chapter stresses that all help, comfort, and restoration come from God alone, and that the disciple must rely wholly on His grace.
- That to him who loveth God is sweet above all things and in all things
The narrator pleads for God's grace to overcome the flesh and find peace, acknowledging no hope or refuge but in God.
- Of a good government in external things, and of having recourse to God in dangers
Emphasizes the necessity of imploring divine succor and seeking God's counsel in all dangers and doubts.
- That Man Hath No Good in Himself, and Nothing Whereof to Glory
The soul acknowledges that without God's help it is nothing, and only through grace can it be strengthened.
- XLV
Emphasizes that salvation and protection come only from God, and that grace is preserved in silence.
- Of having confidence in God when evil words are cast at us
The disciple places his entire confidence in God's mercy and judgment, acknowledging his own insufficiency.
- How a desolate man ought to commit himself into the hands of God
The soul acknowledges that all good comes from God and that it cannot run in His commandments without His comfort.
- LII
God's mercy is shown to be unearned, comforting the servant beyond his deserving and restoring lost grace through contrition.
- Of the diverse motions of Nature and of Grace
Grace is described as a supernatural light and special gift of God, exalting man from earthly to heavenly love, and making the carnal man spiritual.
- Of the corruption of Nature and the efficacy of Divine Grace
The entire chapter is a meditation on the necessity of divine grace for any good work, progress, or salvation, and the utter dependence of the soul on God.
- That a man must not be too much cast down, when he falleth into some faults
The Lord promises to help and give consolation if the soul trusts in Him and calls devoutly upon Him.
- That all hope and trust is to be fixed in God alone
The chapter centers on placing all hope and trust in God alone, acknowledging that without Him, all earthly supports are insufficient.
- With how great reverence Christ must be received
The chapter emphasizes that approaching the Eucharist requires divine invitation and grace, not human merit.
- That it is profitable to Communicate often
The Disciple acknowledges his inability to live without Christ's visitation and the necessity of divine help to avoid falling into evil.
- IV
The Disciple acknowledges that all goodness and grace come from God, and that he has nothing of his own.
- Of the Examination of Conscience, and Purpose of Amendment
The believer relies on God's mercy and grace for forgiveness and the strength to amend his life, as shown in the promise of pardon.
- IX
The disciple relies entirely on God's grace for forgiveness, sanctification, and protection.
- That Holy Communion is not lightly to be omitted
Communion is described as a 'fountain of grace and divine mercy,' and the faithful are encouraged to rely on God's help to overcome spiritual obstacles.
- That he who is about to Communicate with Christ ought to prepare himself with great diligence
Christ emphasizes that no human merit suffices; only His grace allows the soul to draw near and receive sanctification.
- Of the fervent desire of certain devout persons to receive the Body and Blood of Christ
The Disciple acknowledges that only God's mercy can grant the grace of fervor and spiritual affection.
- XVI
The Disciple acknowledges his complete poverty and need for grace, imploring Christ for mercy, comfort, and support.
- Of Fervent Love and Vehement Desire of Receiving Christ
The Disciple acknowledges his unworthiness and prays for grace and mercy through the intercession of others.
- Endnotes
Numerous citations emphasize reliance on God (e.g., Psalm 71:12, 2 Corinthians 12:9, John 15:4).
