Of the Oblation of Christ Upon the Cross, and of
The work emphasizes the necessity of self-offering and total resignation to God, mirroring the ultimate sacrifice made on the Cross. It articulates the idea that true devotion requires more than mere external acts; it demands the complete surrender of oneself. The text stresses that God desires the individual’s whole being rather than mere gifts or actions. The central theme revolves around the concept of self-abandonment, where the believer is called to relinquish personal desires and ambitions in favor of divine will. This act of offering oneself is portrayed as a daily commitment, essential for spiritual growth and union with God. The work highlights the importance of free will in this process, asserting that without a genuine and voluntary surrender, the relationship with the divine remains incomplete. The text also addresses the barriers to spiritual enlightenment, suggesting that many fail to achieve true freedom because they are unwilling to fully deny themselves. It reinforces the notion that discipleship requires a profound transformation of the heart, urging believers to prioritize their relationship with God above all else. The call to self-offering is framed as a pathway to grace and liberation, underscoring the reciprocal nature of the relationship between the believer and the divine. In summary, the work serves as a spiritual guide, encouraging individuals to embrace a life of total self-giving, reflecting on the significance of Christ's sacrifice as a model for their own lives. It invites readers to contemplate the depth of their commitment to God and challenges them to pursue a more profound and authentic discipleship through the act of self-resignation.
By Thomas à Kempis · First published 1620 · Genre: Christian Spirituality, Theology, Devotional Literature · 332 words
First lines
The Voice of the Beloved.
As I of my own will offered myself unto God the Father on the Cross for thy sins with outstretched hands and naked body, so that nothing remained in Me that did not become altogether a sacrifice for the Divine propitiation; so also oughtest thou every day to offer thyself willingly unto Me for a pure and holy oblation with all thy strength and affections, even to the utmost powers of thine heart. What more do I require of thee than thou study to resign thyself altogether unto Me? Whatsoever thou givest besides thyself, I nothing care for, for I ask not thy gift, but thee.
What this Textopian page supports
Of the Oblation of Christ Upon the Cross, and of Resignation of Self is listed on Textopian as an essay by Thomas à Kempis, dated 1620 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: 1620 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Christian Spirituality, Theology, Devotional Literature, Mysticism, Philosophy
- Length: 332 words
- Structure: 1 section, 3 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
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- Work identity for Of the Oblation of Christ Upon the Cross, and of Resignation of Self by Thomas à Kempis
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Discussion starters
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Similar titles
- That We Ought To Deny Ourselves And To Imitate Christ By Means Of The Cross by Thomas A. Kempis
- Of Hiding Our Grace Under The Guard Of Humility by Thomas A. Kempis
- Of Fleeing From Vain Hope And Pride by Thomas A. Kempis
- Of The Lack Of All Comfort by Thomas A. Kempis
- Of The Obedience Of One In Lowly Subjection After The Example Of Jesus Christ by Thomas A. Kempis
- Against Vain And Worldly Knowledge by Thomas A. Kempis
Genres
- Christian Spirituality — The text focuses on the themes of self-offering, sacrifice, and union with God, central to Christian spirituality.
- Theology — The work discusses theological concepts such as divine propitiation and the nature of sacrifice in relation to Christ.
- Devotional Literature — The text serves as a guide for personal devotion and self-resignation to God, typical of devotional works.
- Mysticism — The emphasis on inner enlightenment and the union with the divine aligns with mystical literature.
Tags
Christianity · Meditations · Spirituality · Devotional · Theology · Philosophy · Religion · Faith · Self-reflection · Resignation · Oblation · Sacrifice
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