# That to him who loveth God is sweet above all things and in all things explained — The Imitation of Christ

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

## What happens

The chapter celebrates the sweetness of God's presence for the loving soul, contrasting the joy found in the Creator with the vanity of worldly pleasures. It expresses a longing for union with God and a plea for deliverance from the inner conflict of the flesh against the spirit.

## Themes in this chapter

### Love of God Above All

The entire chapter exalts the sweetness of loving God above all things, finding all joy in His presence.

### Contempt for the World

Contrasts the vanity of worldly wisdom and fleshly enjoyment with the true wisdom found in despising the world.

### Grace and Divine Dependence

The narrator pleads for God's grace to overcome the flesh and find peace, acknowledging no hope or refuge but in God.

## Character check-ins

### God the Father

Addressed as 'my God, my all' and praised as the source of peace and joy.

### Jesus Christ

Referred to as 'the Word' whom the lover delights in.

### The Disciple

Expresses personal longing for God and laments the ongoing struggle with the old man.

## Key lines

> Behold, God is mine, and all things are mine!

When I possess God, I possess everything truly valuable.

_Expresses the all-sufficiency of God for the loving soul._

> When Thou art present all things are pleasant; when Thou art absent, all things are wearisome.

Your presence makes everything delightful; Your absence makes everything burdensome.

_Highlights the centrality of God's presence for joy and peace._

> They taste that the Lord is good, and whatsoever good they find in creatures, they count it all unto the praise of the Creator.

Those who experience God's goodness attribute all created good to His glory.

_Shows the proper orientation of the soul toward God as the source of all good._

## Links

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