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  RELIGION THAT CHANGES US
  by Mary Wilder Tileston
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Summary: The sermon emphasizes the importance of love in our lives,
highlighting its transformative power and the need to cultivate it in
our relationships and daily interactions.

Topics: "Christian Love", "Spiritual Growth"
Scripture References: 1 Corinthians 13:4, Ephesians 4:31, Colossians 3:14, 1 John 4:7

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DESCRIPTION
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Mary Wilder Tileston emphasizes the importance of putting on love above
all things, as it is the bond of perfectness according to Colossians
3:14. She highlights how God rekindles love in souls that are darkened
by discord, making them one again. Tileston challenges believers to
examine their hearts and question their religion if it does not produce
gentleness, forbearance, and forgiveness, cleansing them of bitterness,
spite, and wrath. She stresses the need to let the love of God flood our
hearts, driving out anger, malice, and hatred, as true love should
prevail in all relationships.

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CONTENT
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And above all these things put on love, which is the bond of
perfectness.

--COLOSSIANS 3:14 (R. V.)

THOU hatest hatred's withering reign;

In souls that discord maketh dark

Dost Thou rekindle love's bright spark,

And make them one again.

--PAUL GERHARDT

WE have cause to suspect our religion if it does not make us gentle, and
forbearing, and forgiving; if the love of our Lord does not so flood our
hearts as to cleanse them of all bitterness, and spite, and wrath. If a
man is nursing anger, if he is letting his mind become a nest of foul
passions, malice, and hatred, and evil wishing, how dwelleth the love of
God in him?

--HUGH BLACK

Love me always, boy, whatever I do or leave undone. And--God help me--
whatever you do or leave undone, I'll love you. There shall never be a
cloud between us for a day; no, sir, not for an hour. We're imperfect
enough, all of us, we needn't be so bitter; and life is uncertain enough
at its safest, we needn't waste its opportunities.

--JULIANA HORATIA EWING

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Source: https://sermonindex.net/speakers/mary-wilder-tileston/religion-that-changes-us/
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