Of the Desire after Eternal Life, and how Great
The work emphasizes the profound desire for eternal happiness and the necessity of striving towards it through humility and self-denial. It begins by acknowledging the divine inspiration that stirs the soul towards a longing for heavenly glory, urging gratitude towards divine grace rather than self-reliance. The text warns against mixed motives in seeking God, highlighting that true desire for divine glory must be free from self-interest. The author stresses the importance of prioritizing what is pleasing to God over personal desires, recognizing that the journey towards eternal life involves trials and tribulations. The faithful are reminded that while they may yearn for the joys of heaven, they must endure a period of earthly struggles and labor. This includes accepting hardships, being subjected to authority, and often acting against personal inclinations. The narrative encourages perseverance in the face of adversity, asserting that the rewards of patience and obedience will be realized in the afterlife. The faithful are promised that their sacrifices will lead to ultimate fulfillment in heaven, where all desires will be met without fear of loss. The text concludes with a call to humility, urging individuals to serve others selflessly and to find joy in self-denial, ultimately glorifying God through their lives. The overarching message is one of hope, urging believers to remain steadfast in their spiritual journey, with the assurance of divine rewards awaiting them.
By Thomas à Kempis · First published 1654 · Genre: Spiritual Literature, Theology, Philosophy · 1,112 words
First lines
"My Son, when thou feelest the desire of eternal happiness to be poured into thee from above, and longest to depart from the tabernacle of this body, that thou mayest contemplate My glory without shadow of turning, enlarge thine heart, and take in this holy inspiration with all thy desire. Give most hearty thanks to the Supreme Goodness, who dealeth with thee so graciously, visiteth thee so lovingly, stirreth thee up so fervently, raiseth thee so powerfully, lest thou sink down through thine own weight, to earthly things. For not by thine own meditating or striving dost thou receive this gift, but by the sole gracious condescension of Supreme Grace and Divine regard; to the end that thou mayest make progress in virtue and in more humility, and prepare thyself for future conflicts, and cleave unto Me with all the affection of thy heart, and strive to serve Me with fervent will.
What this Textopian page supports
Of the Desire after Eternal Life, and how Great Blessings are Promised to those who Strive is listed on Textopian as an essay by Thomas à Kempis, dated 1654 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Essay
- Author: Thomas à Kempis
- Date: 1654 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Spiritual Literature, Theology, Philosophy, Devotional, Mysticism
- Length: 1,112 words
- Structure: 1 section, 7 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Of the Desire after Eternal Life, and how Great Blessings are Promised to those who Strive by Thomas à Kempis
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
- Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph
Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering Of the Desire after Eternal Life, and how Great Blessings are Promised to those who Strive?
- How does this essay by Thomas à Kempis fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Spiritual Literature first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- That True Solace Is To Be Sought In God Alone by Thomas A. Kempis
- Of The Neglect Of Every Creature That The Creator May Be Found by Thomas A. Kempis
- Of The Exercises Of A Religious Man by Thomas A. Kempis
- That We Must Rest In God Above All Goods And Gifts by Thomas A. Kempis
- Of Fervent Love And Vehement Desire Of Receiving Christ by Thomas A. Kempis
- That The Grace Of God Doth Not Join Itself To Those Who Mind Earthly Things by Thomas A. Kempis
Genres
- Spiritual Literature — The text focuses on the desire for eternal life and spiritual growth, emphasizing the relationship between the individual and the divine.
- Theology — It explores theological concepts such as grace, virtue, and the nature of God, making it relevant to theological studies.
- Philosophy — The work discusses the nature of desire, self-denial, and the pursuit of higher ideals, aligning with philosophical inquiry.
- Devotional — It serves as a guide for personal devotion and reflection on one's spiritual journey and relationship with God.
Tags
Christianity · Spirituality · Mysticism · Theology · Philosophy · Religion · Faith · Devotion · Perfectionism · Self-Improvement · Personal Growth · Inner Peace
More by Thomas à Kempis
- Of the Imitation of Christ, and of Contempt of the World and all its Vanities (1441)
- Of Thinking Humbly of Oneself (1441)
- Of the Knowledge of Truth (1441)
- Of Prudence in Action (1518)
- Of the Reading of Holy Scripture (1441)
- Of Inordinate Affections (1441)
- Of Fleeing from Vain Hope and Pride (1940)
- Of the Danger of too Much Familiarity (1904)
- All works by Thomas à Kempis