In my life, I’ve had more than one experience, as I’m sure you have had, in which a person touted their piety and religious superiority, but I later found out that it was not backed up with behavior that reflected God’s love toward others. One of the most stark examples I can remember is when I was a child, and an interracial couple started attending my church. They were stared at and whispered about until they went from sitting in the main part of the congregation to moving to the back, to moving to the balcony, to not coming at all. What a sad state of affairs. Of course, that kind of thing still happens today, if not with interracial couples, possibly with people who don’t fit whatever other mold of the folks at that particular church.

Certainly, this is not living the love of Christ as John calls us to do in today’s verse.

But let us examine a different experience of mine. As anyone who works for a church knows, when people learn of your employment circumstances, they categorize you. They start treating you differently, and there is an instant filter they put over what they say and do in front of you. It’s a little bit frustrating sometimes, but it’s something that happens, so I expect it. On the flip side, people also often want to share with you their own experiences with their faith. One such time was with a neighbor of mine, who shared this: She said that she grew up Catholic, but not particularly religious. In young adulthood, she stopped going to church altogether. This basically continued throughout her adult life until, in retirement, she was living in a community in which a group of ladies kept collecting items for charity drives — food, clothing, cleaning supplies, whatever. They collected and delivered the recycling for the community, and they always seemed busy with something. She finally asked them, “Why are you doing all of this?” They replied that they were all service projects through their church. She was surprised by this — she thought church was something you attended Sunday morning, not something that had an effect on your daily life. She said, “Which church?” and the answer was the local United Methodist congregation. She has been part of the UMC ever since. She told me, “I figured that if it was inspiring those folks to do so much good, it must be worth my time.”

What a beautiful expression of God’s love in the community. I do think God wants us to proclaim our faith in word, but I think that more than that, God wants us to proclaim our faith through the acts of loving our neighbors, caring for creation, and helping in all the ways we can help. It is through this witness that others will have the love of Christ made known to them, and it is through this witness that others will know that we are not living hypocritical lives of faith, but that we are genuinely doing our best to live the life we are called to by God.

God, help us to never have hollow words, but remind us to fill those words with action, and inspire that action with your love so that all will see a real and true example of Christian faith in us. Amen.

This devotion was written and read by Dwight Dockery.

Grace for All is a daily devotional podcast produced by the members of the congregation of First United Methodist Church in Maryville, Tennessee. With these devotionals, we want to remind listeners on a daily basis of the love and grace that God extends to all human beings, no matter their location, status, or condition in life.

If you would like to respond to these devotionals in any way, we would enjoy hearing from you. Our email address is:

I’ve known some “big talkers” in my lifetime. Some of these acquaintances spoke of grandiose plans for their future, only to fizzle out when action was required. Others would spout off accomplishments, but in reality, they were riding on someone's coattails and attempting to take credit for someone else’s work. I try hard not to be too judgmental or dismissive of these folks, but I’ve been burned too many times by people with little or no follow-through.

This verse emphasizes the importance of translating feelings of love into tangible acts of kindness, service, and compassion, demonstrating a love that is authentic and not merely superficial. It suggests that simply talking about love, or expressing it verbally, is not enough. True love is demonstrated through actions that reflect the love one claims to have. This could involve offering practical assistance, providing support, or donating to a cause. Or maybe it could be about forgiving someone who has wronged you, choosing to let go of resentment and choose love over bitterness. In addition, it could involve putting the needs of others before your own and helping them in a genuine way. Just talking about it doesn’t make it happen.

Our own church has taken this verse to heart. Greta Smith, Jim Stovall, and others talked about additional ways to reach out and spread the Gospel. After talking about it, they decided to do the work and started “Grace for All” podcasts with daily devotionals. Several years ago, a group of members saw the need in the community for food and fellowship. They talked about it, then took action and started Welcome Table, which has been going strong for many years. And when Jill Pope saw a need to help caregivers of dementia patients, she didn’t just talk about the need; she researched, collaborated with the pastoral staff and other church members, and took action. We now have Daybreak Dementia Respite, giving caregivers the break that they need to avoid burnout. I am so grateful for these genuine expressions of love.

My hope is that we continue to spot needs and not just talk about it, but become Christians of action.

Dear Lord, We are so grateful that you are a God of Action, not just words. Help us to follow Your lead and continue to be a church of Love and Truth by taking the initiative to do good deeds, not just talk about it. Amen.

This devotional was written by Virginia Hardwick Kerr and read by Judy Wilson.

Grace for All is a daily devotional podcast produced by the members of the congregation of First United Methodist Church in Maryville, Tennessee. With these devotionals, we want to remind listeners on a daily basis of the love and grace that God extends to all human beings, no matter their location, status, or condition in life.

If you would like to respond to these devotionals in any way, we would enjoy hearing from you. Our email address is: podcasts@1stchurch.org.

First United Methodist Church is a lively, spirit-filled congregation whose goal is to spread the message of love and grace into our community and throughout the world. We are located on the web at https://1stchurch.org/.

In this passage, which actually starts in the previous chapter, Paul seems to be in the thicket of a heavily theological discussion. That happens to Paul occasionally. He attempts to explain some of the finer points of Christianity to new converts. Paul has such zeal for his beliefs that the words and phrases come tumbling out.

Has someone actually suggested to Paul that people who believe in Christ should continue to sin – so that they can continue to receive God’s saving grace? In the previous chapter in Romans, Paul has said that where sin is great, so is grace. There have, indeed, been people who have argued that God’s salvation is so wonderful that we should obtain it continually by sinning often and then being forgiven.

But Paul says forgiveness and grace are not the endpoint. They are, in fact, the beginning. The beginning of a new life. That life is in Christ. Just as Christ died and was resurrected, we too just die. We should die to sin. We can then be raised from that death into a new life. That is a life where sin and sinning have much less appeal because we have experienced something far more satisfying.

Once raised, are we free from sin? Not completely. We may stumble and fall along the way. When we do, there is grace sufficient for our renewal. But our focus will be on a new life—one where Christ is the center. And that new life will change our attitude and our behavior.

Let us pray. God in heaven, give us a deeper understanding of the renewal and new life that you have provided for us with the death and resurrection of your son, Jesus Christ. Amen.

This devotional was written and read by Jim Stovall.

Grace for All is a daily devotional podcast produced by the members of the congregation of First United Methodist Church in Maryville, Tennessee. With these devotionals, we want to remind listeners on a daily basis of the love and grace that God extends to all human beings, no matter their location, status, or condition in life.

If you would like to respond to these devotionals in any way, we would enjoy hearing from you. Our email address is: podcasts@1stchurch.org.

First United Methodist Church is a lively, spirit-filled congregation whose goal is to spread the message of love and grace into our community and throughout the world. We are located on the web at https://1stchurch.org/.