The Imitation of Christ · Chapter
XLII explained
The chapter teaches that true peace is not found in human relationships but in God alone.
What happens
The chapter teaches that true peace is not found in human relationships but in God alone. It warns against placing one's peace in any person, as such attachments lead to instability. Instead, love for friends should be rooted in God, and one must be willing to be detached from earthly companionship to draw nearer to God. Humility and self-emptying are emphasized as the path to receiving divine grace.
Themes in this chapter
Contempt for the World
The chapter urges detachment from human friendships and earthly solace to draw nearer to God.
Humility and Self-Denial
Emphasizes making oneself nothing and empty of creature love to receive God's grace.
Characters to notice
- The Disciple
Addressed as 'My Son' by God, receiving instruction on detachment from human affections.
- God the Father
Speaker of the chapter, teaching the disciple to place peace in God rather than in men.
- Jesus Christ
Implied as the ever-living and abiding Truth in whom peace is to be found.
Key passages
“My Son, if thou set thy peace on any person because thou hast high opinion of him, and art familiar with him, thou shalt be unstable and entangled.”
God warns that relying on human relationships for peace leads to instability and inner turmoil.
Opening admonition against placing peace in people.
“The nearer a man approacheth to God, the further he recedeth from all earthly solace.”
Spiritual closeness to God requires distancing oneself from worldly comforts.
Core teaching on detachment.
“If thou couldst make thyself utterly nothing, and empty thyself of the love of every creature, then should it be My part to overflow unto thee with great grace.”
Complete self-emptying and renunciation of creature love invites an outpouring of divine grace.
Promise of grace for the humble.