Temporal Sufferings Should Be Borne Patiently, After the Example of Christ
Christ's patience in suffering shows us the way to eternal life and makes our own sufferings more endurable.
Thomas a Kempis preaches about the voice of Christ, emphasizing how Jesus came down from heaven out of love to bear sufferings patiently, setting an example for believers to follow. The disciple acknowledges the need to live patiently according to God's will, bearing the burdens of life for the welfare of the soul, and expressing gratitude for Christ's sacrifice that opened the way to eternal kingdom. The disciple reflects on the consolation and brightness brought by Christ's example, guiding believers towards the path of righteousness and salvation.
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THE VOICE OF CHRIST
MY CHILD, I came down from heaven for your salvation and took upon Myself your miseries, not out of necessity but out of love, that you might learn to be patient and bear the sufferings of this life without repining. From the moment of My birth to My death on the cross, suffering did not leave Me. I suffered great want of temporal goods. Often I heard many complaints against Me. Disgrace and reviling I bore with patience. For My blessings I received ingratitude, for My miracles blasphemies, and for My teaching scorn.
THE DISCIPLE
O Lord, because You were patient in life, especially in fulfilling the design of the Father, it is fitting that I, a most miserable sinner, should live patiently according to Your will, and, as long as You shall wish, bear the burden of this corruptible body for the welfare of my soul. For though this present life seems burdensome, yet by Your grace it becomes meritorious, and it is made brighter and more endurable for the weak by Your example and the pathways of the saints. But it has also more consolation than formerly under the old law when the gates of heaven were closed, when the way thereto seemed darker than now, and when so few cared to seek the eternal kingdom. The just, the elect, could not enter heaven before Your sufferings and sacred death had paid the debt.
Oh, what great thanks I owe You, Who have shown me and all the faithful the good and right way to Your everlasting kingdom! Your life is our way and in Your holy patience we come nearer to You Who are our crown. Had You not gone before and taught us, who would have cared to follow? Alas, how many would have remained far behind, had they not before their eyes Your holy example! Behold, even we who have heard of Your many miracles and teachings are still lukewarm; what would happen if we did not have such light by which to follow You?
Sermon Outline
- I. The Example of Christ's Patience
- A. Christ's sufferings were voluntary, not necessary
- B. Christ suffered temporal want and ingratitude
- C. Christ bore disgrace and reviling with patience
- II. The Call to Patient Suffering
- A. We should live patiently according to God's will
- B. Suffering becomes meritorious through God's grace
- C. Christ's example makes suffering more endurable
- III. The Benefits of Christ's Patience
- A. Christ's sufferings opened the gates of heaven
- B. Christ's example shows us the way to eternal life
- C. Christ's patience makes us come nearer to God
Key Quotes
“I suffered great want of temporal goods.” — Thomas a Kempis
“For though this present life seems burdensome, yet by Your grace it becomes meritorious, and it is made brighter and more endurable for the weak by Your example and the pathways of the saints.” — Thomas a Kempis
“Your life is our way and in Your holy patience we come nearer to You Who are our crown.” — Thomas a Kempis
Application Points
- We should live patiently according to God's will, even in the midst of suffering.
- Following Christ's example can make our sufferings more endurable and bring us closer to God.
- God's grace can transform our sufferings into meritorious experiences that draw us nearer to Him.