Beyond Your Faults
The sermon encourages listeners to let go of anxious thoughts and self-love, and instead trust in God's presence and exercise perfect love.
Mary Wilder Tileston emphasizes the importance of not fretting or being anxious, as it leads to evil-doing. She encourages the congregation to focus on prayer instead of worrying, as God gives all to those who pray. Tileston reminds believers to love without ceasing, knowing that much will be forgiven through love. She urges them to fight like good soldiers, taking strength in God's grace when they fall, and to never give up the fight against sin and temptation.
Text
Fret not thyself, it tendeth only to evil-doing.
--PSALMS 37:8 (R. V.)
To anxious, prying thought,
And weary, fretting care,
The Highest yieldeth nought;
He giveth all to prayer.
--PAUL GERHARDT
DO not be disquieted about your faults. Love with.out ceasing, and much will be forgiven you, because you have loved much. Faults perceived in peace, in the spirit of love, are immediately consumed by love itself; but faults perceived in a pettish fit of self-love disturb peace, interrupt the presence of God, and the exercise of perfect love. Vexation at a fault is generally more of a fault than the fault itself.
--FRANCOIS DE LA MOTHE FÉNELON
Fight like a good soldier; and if thou sometimes fall through frailty, take again greater strength than before, trusting in my more abundant grace.
--THOMAS À KEMPIS
This alone is thy concern, to fight manfully, and never, however manifold thy wounds, to lay down thine arms, or to take to flight.
--LORENZO SCUPOLI
Sermon Outline
- The Futility of Anxious Thoughts
- The Power of Love in Forgiveness
- The Call to Spiritual Warfare
- The importance of perseverance in spiritual battles
- The role of God's grace in overcoming weakness and failure
Key Quotes
“Fret not thyself, it tendeth only to evil-doing.” — Mary Wilder Tileston
“Vexation at a fault is generally more of a fault than the fault itself.” — Mary Wilder Tileston
“Fight like a good soldier; and if thou sometimes fall through frailty, take again greater strength than before, trusting in my more abundant grace.” — Mary Wilder Tileston
Application Points
- Let go of anxious thoughts and trust in God's presence.
- Exercise perfect love and forgiveness in your life.
- Persevere in spiritual warfare, trusting in God's more abundant grace.