======================================================================== SELF-ABASEMENT IN THE SIGHT OF GOD by Thomas a Kempis ======================================================================== Summary: Through self-abasement and humility, we can experience God's favor and love, and find our true nature as weak and dependent on Him. Topics: "Humility", "Gods Grace" Scripture References: Psalm 18:1, Romans 5:8, 2 Corinthians 12:9, Ephesians 2:4, James 4:10 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ DESCRIPTION ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Thomas a Kempis preaches about the humility and self-abasement required to experience God's grace and light. By acknowledging our nothingness and weaknesses, we open ourselves to be lifted up and embraced by God's love, which sustains us in all circumstances. Through seeking and loving God above all else, we find our true selves and deepen our dependence on Him, recognizing His infinite goodness and mercy even when we are unworthy. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ CONTENT ------------------------------------------------------------------------ THE DISCIPLE I WILL speak to my Lord, I who am but dust and ashes. If I consider myself anything more than this, behold You stand against me, and my sins bear witness to the truth which I cannot contradict. If I abase myself, however, if I humble myself to nothingness, if I shrink from all self- esteem and account myself as the dust which I am, Your grace will favor me, Your light will enshroud my heart, and all self-esteem, no matter how little, will sink in the depths of my nothingness to perish forever. It is there You show me to myself -- what I am, what I have been, and what I am coming to; for I am nothing and I did not know it. Left to myself, I am nothing but total weakness. But if You look upon me for an instant, I am at once made strong and filled with new joy. Great wonder it is that I, who of my own weight always sink to the depths, am so suddenly lifted up, and so graciously embraced by You. It is Your love that does this, graciously upholding me, supporting me in so many necessities, guarding me from so many grave dangers, and snatching me, as I may truly say, from evils without number. Indeed, by loving myself badly I lost myself; by seeking only You and by truly loving You I have found both myself and You, and by that love I have reduced myself more profoundly to nothing. For You, O sweetest Lord, deal with me above all my merits and above all that I dare to hope or ask. May You be blessed, my God, for although I am unworthy of any benefits, yet Your nobility and infinite goodness never cease to do good even for those who are ungrateful and far from You. Convert us to You, that we may be thankful, humble, and devout, for You are our salvation, our courage, and our strength. ======================================================================== Source: https://sermonindex.net/speakers/thomas-a-kempis/self-abasement-in-the-sight-of-god/ ========================================================================