The Imitation of Christ · Chapter
Of Self-Denial, and the Casting Away All Selfishness explained
The chapter emphasizes the necessity of complete self-denial and renunciation of all selfish desires to attain true liberty and union with God.
What happens
The chapter emphasizes the necessity of complete self-denial and renunciation of all selfish desires to attain true liberty and union with God. It presents a dialogue where Christ instructs the disciple that perfect freedom comes only through abandoning self-love, earthly wisdom, and personal pleasures, and instead seeking heavenly wisdom, which appears humble and lowly to the world.
Themes in this chapter
Humility and Self-Denial
The entire chapter is centered on the command to deny oneself, renounce all selfishness, and embrace humility as the path to true liberty and peace.
Contempt for the World
The text contrasts earthly wisdom and pleasures with heavenly wisdom, urging the disciple to despise base things and seek what is eternal.
Characters to notice
- Jesus Christ
Speaks as 'My Son' to the disciple, teaching the necessity of self-denial and renunciation of all selfishness.
- The Disciple
Responds to Christ's teaching, acknowledging that this path is not a day's work but contains all perfection of the religious life.
Key passages
“Renounce all things, and thou shalt find all things; give up thy lust, and thou shalt find rest.”
Let go of everything you cling to, and you will gain everything worthwhile; abandon your selfish desires, and you will discover true peace.
This encapsulates the core teaching of the chapter: total renunciation leads to spiritual fulfillment.
“I counsel thee to buy of Me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich, that is heavenly wisdom, which despiseth all base things.”
I advise you to acquire from Me the pure, tested wisdom of heaven, which will make you truly wealthy by scorning all worthless earthly things.
The 'gold tried in the fire' symbolizes refined, divine wisdom that comes through suffering and self-denial.