Proclaimer Blog
Guarding your heart
I've been much convicted over the last six months that the cause of preaching is linked closely to the state of the preachers' heart. So, I've been seeking out some things to read to help me think about my heart, and here is a surprising one. It's Thomas a Kempis' Of the Imitation of Christ. It's not a particularly Protestant books (though it has some clear Protestant ideas in it). But it also contains (amongst everything else) some devotional nuggets. Here is what I read today:
That the lovers of the cross of Jesus are few
Jesus hath now many lovers of his heavenly kingdom, but few bearers of his cross. He hath many desirous of consolation but few of tribulation. He findeth many companions at his table, but few of his abstinence. All desire to rejoice with him, few are willing to endure anything for him. Many follow Jesus unto the breaking of bread, but few to the drinking of the cup of his passion. Many reverence his miracles, few follow the ignominy of the cross. Many love Jesus so long as no adversities befall them. Many praise and bless him so long as they receive any consolation from him. But if Jesus hide himself and leave them but a little while they fall either into complaining or into too much dejection of mind.
But they who love Jesus for his own sake, and not for some special comfort which they receive, bless him in all tribulation and anguish of heart as well as in the state of highest comfort. Yea, although he should never be willing to give them comfort, they notwithstanding would praise him ever and wish to be always giving thanks.
What a great desire for preachers! To love Jesus for his own sake.
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