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Quote of the Week: Teresa of Ávila

Teresa of Avila

Be indulgent to others, rigorous to yourself.
—Teresa of Ávila

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Don’t feel bad if you’ve never heard of Teresa of Ávila. I hadn’t either until I saw this quote. A Spanish mystic, and reformer in the Catholic Church, Teresa is best known for her contributions regarding personal prayer and meditation.

You’ll find this quote and many others in 1,500 Quotations for Preachers, with Slides. If you’d like to hear more of what Teresa had to say, pick up the Classic Wisdom Collection (10 vols.) from Logos.

Visit Blog.Faithlife.com every Tuesday for an inspirational, thought-provoking quote from a Christian leader, historical figure, or scholar.

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Principles > Rules

law Rules require obedience. Principles require contemplation.

Rules demand enforcement. Principles demand example.

Rules are for only for the wicked, keeping them in check (1 Timothy 1:9), but principles are universal.

Rules are written for specific situations. Rules are brittle. Outside their original contexts, rules break easily.

Principles are timeless, remaining relevant and providing stability through the centuries.

Principles are more difficult yet more rewarding than rules. They’re all throughout Scripture, but you’ll have to look hard to find them. If you see an imperative repeated, rephrased, and modeled, you’re probably looking at a principle. Let’s use the Sabbath as an example:

  • God set an example in creation, modeling the Sabbath for all generations to come (Genesis 2:2–3).
  • He taught it to Israel through Moses (Exodus 20:8–11).
  • Jesus explained it further (Mark 2:27).

The rule of Sabbath mandated that no work be done on the first day of the week.

The principle of Sabbath invites us to set aside a day to rest and reconnect with God.

Whenever you find an imperative in Scripture, search for the principle that supports it. Ask yourself: Why did God command this? What is he trying to teach me?

What are your favorite scriptural principles, and where do you find them? Let us know in comments.

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Quote of the Week: A. W. Pink

AW Pink

It is not the absence of sin but the grieving over it which distinguishes the child of God from empty professors

—A. W. Pink

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Arthur Pink impacted many people with his passionate preaching—but even more with his writing. His books, booklets, and pamphlets, posthumously circulated, made him one of the most influential spiritual leaders of his generation.

If you’d like to hear more of what Pink had to say, Logos offers a wide selection of his works. You’ll find this quote and many others in 1,500 Quotations for Preachers, with Slides.

Visit Blog.Faithlife.com every Tuesday for an inspirational, thought-provoking quote from a Christian leader, historical figure, or scholar.

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Quote of the Week: G. Campbell Morgan

G Campbell Morgan

We work far more harm to our age by tepid character than by open denial of Christ.

—G. Campbell Morgan

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A close friend of Charles Spurgeon’s, G. Campbell Morgan ministered for many years at Westminster Chapel. He spoke these words about his own generation, but they still ring true today.

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If you like this Quote of the Week, we have good news: there’s a lot more where that came from. 1,500 Quotations for Preachers with Slides will help you find precisely the right words for any occasion.

Visit Blog.Faithlife.com every Tuesday for an inspirational, thought-provoking quote from a Christian leader, historical figure, or scholar.

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Quote of the Week: John Wesley

John Wesley

 

Christianity is essentially a social religion . . . To turn it into a solitary religion, is indeed to destroy it.

—John Wesley

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Ecclesiastes 4:9–12 makes it clear that life is easier when lived alongside others. Isolation, though often convenient, is dangerous.  Maybe that’s why John Wesley and his brother Charles ministered side-by-side, often collaborating with George Whitfield and other contemporaries.

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If you’d like to hear more of what he had to say, Logos offers a wide selection of John Wesley’s writings. This quote and many others are available in 1,500 Quotations for Preachers, with Slides.

Visit Blog.Faithlife.com every Tuesday for an inspirational, thought-provoking quote from a Christian leader, historical figure, or scholar.