# Of the Zealous Amendment of Our Whole Life explained — The Imitation of Christ

> Chapter companion for The Imitation of Christ by Thomas à Kempis.

## What happens

This chapter exhorts the reader to zealous amendment of life, urging watchfulness and diligence in God's service. It emphasizes that labor now yields eternal rest, and that one must remain faithful, avoiding both security and despair. A story illustrates how a troubled man found peace by committing to God's will. The chapter also discusses overcoming passions, learning from others, and the centrality of Christ crucified as the model for all virtue.

## Themes in this chapter

### Interior Life and Solitude

The chapter emphasizes self-examination, watchfulness, and the inward struggle against passions as the path to peace.

### Suffering and the Cross

The disciple is urged to look upon the life of Christ crucified and to conform himself to His sufferings.

### Grace and Divine Dependence

The chapter teaches that labor is lighter because of God's grace, and that one must commit all to God's will.

## Character check-ins

### The Disciple

The narrator speaks as one striving for spiritual progress, offering counsel and exhortation.

### Jesus Christ

Referenced as the Crucified, whose life and passion are the perfect model for the zealous disciple.

### God the Father

Implied as the one who rewards faithfulness and to whom the disciple commits himself entirely.

### David

Quoted as the Prophet: 'Hope in the Lord and be doing good; dwell in the land and thou shalt be fed with its riches.'

## Key lines

> Be thou watchful and diligent in God’s service, and bethink thee often why thou hast renounced the world.

Stay alert and committed in serving God, and frequently remind yourself why you left worldly pursuits behind.

_Opens the chapter with a call to intentional spiritual focus._

> Oh! if I but knew that I should still persevere, and presently heard within him a voice from God, And if thou didst know it, what wouldst thou do? Do now what thou wouldst do then, and thou shalt be very secure.

A man in distress wished to know if he would persevere, and God replied: 'If you knew, what would you do? Act now as you would then, and you will be secure.'

_Illustrates the importance of present faithfulness over anxious curiosity about the future._

> Remember always thine end, and how the time which is lost returneth not.

Keep your final goal in mind, and remember that wasted time can never be recovered.

_A memento mori urging urgency in spiritual growth._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_imitation_of_christ_se/chapters/xxv
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_imitation_of_christ_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_imitation_of_christ_se/chapters