Last month I quoted from a must-read book, Longing for God, by Richard Foster and Gayle Beebe, a fascinating devotional that gives a sweeping perspective on the growth of Christian thought and theology. I was especially intrigued by the chapter on Thomas à Kempis (1379-1471), in which Beebe bullet-points 30 key contrasts of walking by “nature” versus walking by “grace.” I quoted 15 from the list last month and will quote the final 15 this month. Consider taking time throughout the next 30-day period for extended time of personal application.

So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature…” (Galatians 5:16-17).

• Nature turns all things to itself and pushes itself into the spotlight, while grace refers all things to God.
• Nature longs to know secrets and to have the inside story, while grace pursues what is useful for the soul.
• Nature is quick to complain, while grace endures all things resolutely.
• Nature wishes to be seen in public, while grace seeks to avoid vain displays.
• Nature longs to be steeped in sensual experience, while grace exercises restraint of the senses.
• Nature wants to be noticed by others, while grace wants to be noticed by God.
• Nature is ruled by sin, while grace is ruled by grace.
• Nature represents vice, while grace represents virtue.
• Nature attempts to judge between good and evil, while grace teaches us the eternal law of God.
• Nature does not act on what it knows to be good, while grace flees sin and evil.
• Nature relies on natural gifts, while grace relies on the gifts of God’s mercy.
• Nature succumbs to vice, while grace radiates virtue.
• Nature flees truth, while grace submits to truth.
• Nature runs on its own energy, while grace relies on energy from God.
• Nature ignores its failures and refuses to learn from them, while grace humbly embraces shortcomings and learns from them.