If you have ever thought, “I wish I could be more like Jesus, but I do not know where to start,” then The Imitation of Christ by Thomas à Kempis is a book made for you.
Written in the 15th century, this little devotional has quietly shaped Christians for generations. It is not flashy, not complicated, and not academic. The book is simple, direct, and deeply searching. It speaks to the heart that wants to follow Christ more closely, but feels distracted, weak, or ordinary.
In a world full of noise, self-promotion, and constant comparison, The Imitation of Christ gently calls us back to the basics of discipleship: humility, obedience, hidden faithfulness, and love for Jesus above everything else.
In this article, we will explore:
- What The Imitation of Christ is about
- Who Thomas à Kempis was
- Key themes that matter for modern Christians
- How it connects to Scripture
- Practical ways to read and apply it today
This is written for real people with real struggles, not for experts. So let us walk through it slowly and honestly.
Who Was Thomas à Kempis, and What Is This Book?
Thomas à Kempis was a German-Dutch Christian writer and monk who lived in the late 1300s and early 1400s. He spent much of his life in a community devoted to prayer, Scripture, and practical holiness.
Out of that quiet life came The Imitation of Christ, a devotional work made up of four main books or sections. It reads less like a story and more like a series of short, piercing reflections on how to walk with Jesus in daily life.
In simple language, Thomas writes about:
- Letting go of pride and seeking humility
- Choosing Christ over worldly praise or comfort
- Trusting God in suffering and confusion
- Focusing on the inner life rather than outward appearance
- Loving Jesus in the Sacrament and in everyday devotion
You can almost feel that he wrote it for ordinary believers in his community – people who needed encouragement, correction, and hope. That is why it still resonates today. Human hearts have not changed that much.
The Heart of The Imitation of Christ: Becoming Like Jesus
At its core, The Imitation of Christ is about one thing: learning to live in such a way that our thoughts, desires, and actions reflect the heart of Jesus.
The Bible tells us that this is God’s plan for us. We are “to be conformed to the image of his Son” (Romans 8:29). That is what true spiritual growth is about. Not just knowing more, serving more, or feeling more, but becoming more like Christ.
Thomas à Kempis helps us see what that looks like in practical, sometimes uncomfortable ways.
Key Themes in The Imitation of Christ
1. Humility over Self-Promotion
One of the loudest messages in The Imitation of Christ is a warning against pride and a call to humility. Thomas writes again and again about not craving human praise, not needing to be noticed, and not measuring ourselves by the opinions of others.
This hits hard in a world shaped by social media, personal branding, and constant self-display. Yet Jesus Himself showed a very different way. He came “meek and lowly in heart” and invited us to learn from Him.
Scripture calls us to the same mindset: “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 2:5).
To imitate Christ is to choose the low place when our flesh wants the high one. It is to serve when we would rather be served. It is to be faithful even when no one sees.
2. The Inner Life Matters More Than Outward Show
Another central message in The Imitation of Christ is that the inner life is more important than outward appearance or activity.
Thomas warns against being busy for God while being empty inside. He reminds us that it is possible to appear spiritual on the outside while being restless, proud, or distracted within.
This lines up with Scripture. Jesus often confronted religious leaders who looked holy yet had hearts far from God. The Bible reminds us that “man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart” (1 Samuel 16:7).
Thomas encourages us to:
- Guard our thoughts
- Examine our motives
- Practice quiet prayer and reflection
- Let God search our hearts
In simple terms, he calls us to stop performing and start abiding.
3. Taking Up the Cross Daily
One of the most challenging parts of imitating Christ is the call to take up the cross. Thomas does not soften this. He knows that following Jesus involves suffering, sacrifice, and surrender.
Jesus Himself said, “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me” (Luke 9:23).
Thomas writes about accepting trials, disappointments, and losses as things God can use to shape us. That does not mean we enjoy pain or pretend everything is fine. It means we trust that Christ meets us in the hard places and uses them to make us more like Him.
In a comfort-driven culture, this message is both difficult and freeing. Difficult, because we prefer ease. Freeing, because it reminds us that our struggles are not meaningless. They can become part of our imitation of Christ.
4. Loving Jesus Above All
Above all, The Imitation of Christ is about loving Jesus more than anything else.
Thomas returns again and again to the theme of undivided love for Christ. Not a cold, distant religion, but a living relationship. He invites us to speak with Jesus, trust Him, and make Him our greatest joy.
Scripture echoes this: “Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth” (Colossians 3:2). And again, John the Baptist declares, “He must increase, but I must decrease” (John 3:30).
To imitate Christ is to let our love for Him slowly reorder everything else:
- Our desires
- Our priorities
- Our use of time
- Our relationships
- Our dreams for the future
It is not about adding Jesus to a busy life, but letting Him become the center of it.
How The Imitation of Christ Connects with Scripture
While The Imitation of Christ is not the Bible, it is soaked in biblical truth.
Some of the key biblical themes you will recognize as you read:
- Discipleship: Following Jesus in everyday life, not only in big decisions.
- Sanctification: Growing in holiness over time, by the grace of God.
- Self-denial: Saying “no” to sinful desires so we can say “yes” to God.
- Heavenly-mindedness: Remembering that this life is not the end.
When Jesus calls people to follow Him in the Gospels, He does not promise a comfortable journey. Yet He promises Himself. Thomas à Kempis writes in that same spirit. The Christian life is not always easy, but it is worth everything.
The Bible invites us to a transformed way of thinking and living. “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 2:5). The Imitation of Christ is like a long, patient companion to that verse. It keeps asking, gently but firmly, “Are you really willing to think and live like Jesus?”
Why The Imitation of Christ Still Matters Today
You might wonder why a 600-year-old book should matter in the age of smartphones, podcasts, and streaming sermons.
Here are a few reasons it still speaks powerfully:
It cuts through the noise
Our lives are full of content. We scroll, watch, and listen all day. Yet many of us feel spiritually thin. The Imitation of Christ is quiet, simple, and focused. It does not distract. The book invites us to slow down and listen to God.
It challenges shallow Christianity
It is easy to treat faith as a label, a culture, or a Sunday routine. Thomas à Kempis pushes us deeper. He confronts pride, hypocrisy, and half-hearted devotion, not to shame us but to call us higher.
It comforts the discouraged believer
Many Christians feel like they are failing. They want to love Jesus more, but they stumble. They feel weak. The Imitation of Christ reminds us that growth is often hidden and slow, and that God is patient with those who keep coming back to Him.
It keeps Christ at the center
In every chapter, Thomas brings us back to Jesus. Not to church politics, not to clever debates, not to spiritual trends, but to Christ Himself. That focus is something the church always needs.
How to Read and Apply The Imitation of Christ
If you decide to read this classic, here are a few practical tips to help you benefit from it.
1. Read it slowly
This is not a book to rush. Many Christians read just a short section at a time, almost like a daily devotional. Let each paragraph sink in. When a line stings or comforts, pause and sit with it.
2. Read it prayerfully
Turn its words into prayer. For example, if Thomas writes about humility, you might pray, “Lord, show me where pride is hiding in my life. Give me the heart of Christ.”
3. Keep your Bible open
Use The Imitation of Christ as a companion, not a replacement, for Scripture. When a theme stands out, look up related Bible verses. Let God’s Word be the final authority and the deepest source.
4. Take notes or journal
Write down:
- Sentences that stir you
- Areas where you feel convicted
- Changes you sense God is inviting you to make
This makes your reading personal and practical.
5. Share the journey with others
If possible, read it with a friend or small group. Talk about what encourages you and what challenges you. Pray for one another as you seek to imitate Christ together.
A Gentle Invitation
At the end of the day, The Imitation of Christ by Thomas à Kempis is not about becoming “super spiritual.” It is about becoming more like Jesus in the simple, sometimes hidden parts of life.
It is about:
- Choosing humility when ego shouts
- Seeking God in quiet, not just in noise
- Trusting Jesus in suffering, not only in blessing
- Loving Christ above every lesser love
The journey can feel slow and imperfect. Yet the promise of Scripture stands: “He which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ” (Philippians 1:6).
Christ Himself is your model, your strength, and your destination.
If you are hungry for a deeper, quieter, more Christ-centered life, The Imitation of Christ can be a wise and faithful companion on the road. Not as your final authority, but as a brother in Christ pointing you again and again to the One who is worth imitating in every season of life.
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