In the Fighting
Through faith, we can conquer sin and live a victorious life in Christ.
Mary Wilder Tileston, inspired by the words of Charles Wesley and Edward B. Pusey, emphasizes the transformative power of Christ's love in conquering sin and renewing our souls. She highlights the importance of living with victorious faith, allowing Christ to dwell in our hearts by removing all that He hates. Tileston encourages believers to strive for complete victory over sin, avoiding willful disobedience that can hinder our faith, hope, and love. She reminds the congregation that with God's grace, they have the ability to overcome every temptation and be victorious in their spiritual battles.
Text
Who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto Himself a people for His own possession, zealous of good works.
TITUS 2:14 (R. v.)
LOVE only can the conquest win,
The strength of sin subdue;
Come, O my Saviour, cast out sin,
And form my soul anew.
CHARLES WESLEY
LIVING and victorious faith is that whereby Christ dwelleth in our hearts. But Christ will not dwell in our hearts, if we fill our hearts with things which He hates. Yet is there then no victory, nor real faith, when the world holds a struggle with us, sometimes overcoming us, sometimes overcome? In some things victory should be complete at once. Sins of infirmity there may be; sins against light there should not be. To do wilfully and knowingly what God hates, destroys faith, and hope, and love. But so that thou art fighting against thy besetting sin, if thou art conquering thyself, thou art still Christ's soldier, even though in thought, word, or deed, thou be, from time to time, in lesser things surprised. This, then, is matter of faith, that if we will, we can, by the grace of God, prevail over every temptation.
EDWARD B. PUSEY
Sermon Outline
- I. The Power of Love
- A. Love is the strength to conquer sin
- B. Love is the foundation of victorious faith
- II. The Importance of Faith
- A. Faith is the key to Christ dwelling in our hearts
- B. Faith requires us to resist the world's influence
- III. The Struggle with Sin
- A. We may struggle with sins of infirmity
- B. We should not willfully sin against God's light
- IV. The Victory of Faith
- A. Faith allows us to prevail over temptation
- B. Faith is the foundation of our relationship with God
Key Quotes
“LOVE only can the conquest win, The strength of sin subdue;” — Mary Wilder Tileston
“LIVING and victorious faith is that whereby Christ dwelleth in our hearts.” — Mary Wilder Tileston
“This, then, is matter of faith, that if we will, we can, by the grace of God, prevail over every temptation.” — Mary Wilder Tileston
Application Points
- We must resist the world's influence to maintain our faith and relationship with God.
- Faith is the key to prevailing over temptation and living a victorious life.
- We can still be a Christian if we are fighting against our besetting sin and conquering ourselves.