James Watkins > Quotes

“Truly, deep and profound words do not make a person holy and upright, but a good life is what makes us dear to God. I would rather experience sorrow for my ungodly thoughts and actions than simply be skillful in defining “repentance.”
― James Watkins, Imitation of Christ: Classic Devotions in Today's Language

“I have received the cross from your hands. I have carried it, even as you have laid it upon me, and I will continue to carry it until I die. Truly the life of a devoted servant is the cross, but it leads to paradise. I have begun the journey of the cross. May I not turn back nor leave it.”
― James Watkins, Imitation of Christ: Classic Devotions in Today's Language

“we must imitate his life and character if we desire true understanding and freedom from our own deceptive hearts and minds.”
― James Watkins, Imitation of Christ: Classic Devotions in Today's Language

“When you stop living for yourself, you will grow into union with me.”
― James Watkins, Imitation of Christ: Classic Devotions in Today's Language

“For a little reward, people make a long journey; for eternal life many will scarcely lift a foot off the ground. They seek poor rewards of money in their shameful strife. For a trivial promise, people will work day and night.”
― James Watkins, The Imitation of Christ: Classic Devotions in Today's Language

“let us strive to turn our hearts from the love of things that are visible and concentrate on the things that are invisible.”
― James Watkins, Imitation of Christ: Classic Devotions in Today's Language

“I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me” (John 14:6). Without my way you cannot go. Without my truth you cannot know. And without my life you cannot grow. I am the way which you must follow, the truth you must believe, and the life for which you must hope.”
― James Watkins, Imitation of Christ: Classic Devotions in Today's Language

“I am the way never changing, the truth never failing, and the life never ending. I am the straight way, the supreme truth and the true, blessed, and uncreated life.”
― James Watkins, Imitation of Christ: Classic Devotions in Today's Language

“If you want to receive eternal life, keep the commandments” (Matthew 19:17). If you want to know the truth, believe in me. If you want to be perfect, sell all that you have. If you want to be my disciple, deny yourself. If you want to possess the blessed life, give up the life you now have. If you want to be exalted in heaven, humble yourself in this world. If you want to reign with me, bear the cross with me, for only the servants of the cross find the blessed life and true light.”
― James Watkins, Imitation of Christ: Classic Devotions in Today's Language

“what does all this benefit us without the love and grace of God? It is completely futile unless we love God and serve only him.”
― James Watkins, Imitation of Christ: Classic Devotions in Today's Language

“O God, enlarge love in me, so I may learn to taste with my whole heart how sweet it is to love, to be dissolved, and to swim in love.”
― James Watkins, The Imitation of Christ: Classic Devotions in Today's Language

“He will help us carry it. Look! Our king enters in before us, and he will fight for us. Let us follow bravely, fearing no terror. Let us be prepared to die bravely in battle. Let us not be dishonored by fleeing from the cross.”
― James Watkins, Imitation of Christ: Classic Devotions in Today's Language

“there are many people who frequently hear the words of Christ but have little desire to follow them and so do not have the mind of Christ.”
― James Watkins, Imitation of Christ: Classic Devotions in Today's Language

“It is futile to strive for earthly things and to trust in riches that will perish. It is futile to desire honors and lift up ourselves. It is futile to be ruled by the desires of our physical body, for this will only bring misery in the end. It is futile to desire a long life and to care little for a good life. It is futile to concentrate on the here and now and not look forward to the things which are eternal. It is futile to love temporary things and not strive toward eternal joy.”
― James Watkins, Imitation of Christ: Classic Devotions in Today's Language