Daily Love: Living Out Faith in Action

Devotional

Day 1: The Origin of Real Faith—Born of God’s Grace

True faith begins not with our own effort, but with God’s gracious initiative; He plants His seed within us, giving us a new spiritual appetite and making us His adopted children. If you find yourself desiring God, longing to do what is right, and seeking to love others, it is not because you have manufactured this on your own, but because God has graciously given you new birth. This new life is a gift, not a result of your works, and it is the foundation for all genuine Christian living. [10:45]

1 John 3:9, 16 (ESV)
9 No one born of God makes a practice of sinning, for God’s seed abides in him; and he cannot keep on sinning, because he has been born of God.
16 By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers.

Reflection: In what ways have you seen God’s grace change your desires or actions, showing evidence of His new life within you?

Day 2: The Evidence of Real Faith—Loving One Another

The clearest evidence that God’s seed abides in us is a life marked by love for others and a turning away from habitual sin; our actions and attitudes reveal our spiritual parentage. It is not enough to simply claim faith or possess knowledge about God—true faith is demonstrated by practicing righteousness and loving our brothers and sisters. Even when we stumble, our hearts are drawn back to God, and our lives increasingly reflect His love and truth. [16:23]

1 John 3:10-11 (ESV)
10 By this it is evident who are the children of God, and who are the children of the devil: whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is the one who does not love his brother.
11 For this is the message that you have heard from the beginning, that we should love one another.

Reflection: Who is one person you can intentionally show Christlike love to today, especially if it’s difficult or inconvenient?

Day 3: The Risks of Real Faith—Facing Opposition for Righteousness

Living out real faith and loving others sacrificially can bring misunderstanding, opposition, or even hatred from the world, just as Abel’s righteousness provoked Cain’s jealousy. The call to follow Christ is not a call to comfort or secrecy, but to visible, courageous love—even when it is costly. Do not be surprised if your faithfulness draws criticism or rejection; Jesus Himself warned that the world would hate those who truly follow Him, but He also promised His presence and reward. [21:40]

1 John 3:12-15 (ESV)
12 We should not be like Cain, who was of the evil one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his own deeds were evil and his brother’s righteous.
13 Do not be surprised, brothers, that the world hates you.
14 We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brothers. Whoever does not love abides in death.
15 Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him.

Reflection: When have you felt resistance or misunderstanding because of your faith, and how can you respond with love and perseverance?

Day 4: The Practice of Real Faith—Love in Deed and Truth

Genuine Christian love is not just a matter of words or feelings, but is demonstrated in practical, sacrificial action for others—meeting needs, serving faithfully, and doing all things as unto the Lord. Whether in small daily acts or rare moments of crisis, believers are called to lay down their lives for others, using their resources, energy, and skills to bless and serve. This is the daily, often unseen, work of love that honors God and builds up His people. [24:41]

1 John 3:16-18 (ESV)
16 By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers.
17 But if anyone has the world’s goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God’s love abide in him?
18 Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.

Reflection: What is one tangible way you can serve someone in need this week, putting love into action rather than just words?

Day 5: Confidence Through Real Faith—Assurance in Loving Obedience

As we actively love others and keep God’s commandments, our hearts are reassured and we gain confidence before God, even when doubts or self-condemnation arise. God is greater than our hearts and knows everything; when we walk in obedience and love, we experience the assurance that we belong to Him. This confidence is not based on our perfection, but on the evidence of His Spirit at work in us, leading us to believe in Jesus and love one another. [30:40]

1 John 3:19-24 (ESV)
19 By this we shall know that we are of the truth and reassure our heart before him;
20 for whenever our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and he knows everything.
21 Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence before God;
22 and whatever we ask we receive from him, because we keep his commandments and do what pleases him.
23 And this is his commandment, that we believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ and love one another, just as he has commanded us.
24 Whoever keeps his commandments abides in God, and God in him. And by this we know that he abides in us, by the Spirit whom he has given us.

Reflection: If you struggle with doubt or self-condemnation, what is one step you can take today to love and serve someone, allowing God to reassure your heart through obedience?

Sermon Summary

Love in action is not reserved for rare, heroic moments, but is meant to be the daily rhythm of a Christian’s life. The story of six friends who, by God’s providence, were present to save children from drowning, powerfully illustrates how God orchestrates circumstances for His glory and the good of others. Yet, most of us will not be called to such dramatic acts. Instead, we are called to the steady, faithful practice of loving our neighbors—caring for the sick, encouraging the anxious, and serving those in need. This is the essence of Christianity: doing the right thing at the right time for the right reason, all for the glory of God.

The foundation of real faith is God’s initiative. We are born of God, not by our own effort, but by His grace. This new birth implants His spiritual DNA in us, giving us new appetites and desires that reflect His character. The evidence of this new life is not sinless perfection, but a transformed pattern of living—one that resists habitual sin and is marked by genuine love for others. Our actions, not just our words, reveal whether we are truly God’s children.

Living out this faith is not without risk. The world may misunderstand or even hate those who openly follow Christ, just as Cain hated Abel for his righteousness. But we are not called to be secret disciples. Instead, we are to love boldly, even when it costs us. This love is practical and tangible: sharing resources, meeting needs, and serving with excellence in whatever we do, whether at work, at home, or in the church.

Confidence in our faith grows as we put love into action. When doubts arise or our hearts condemn us, the remedy is not introspection, but outward service. As we obey God’s command to love, our assurance deepens, and we experience the reality of His Spirit at work within us. The Christian life is not about performing miracles, but about daily faithfulness—believing in Jesus and loving one another as He has loved us.

Key Takeaways

1. God’s providence places us where we are needed, often in ways we cannot foresee. The story of the six friends at the bay reminds us that our presence and readiness can be used by God for His purposes, even in ordinary or unexpected moments. Trusting His sovereignty means being attentive and willing, wherever we find ourselves. [04:02]
2. The origin of real faith is God’s initiative, not our own effort. We are born of God by His grace, and this new birth implants His spiritual DNA in us, changing our desires and inclinations. Our ability to love and serve flows from this divine transformation, not from self-improvement. [10:45]
3. The evidence of genuine faith is a life that resists habitual sin and is marked by love for others. While Christians are not perfect, the pattern of their lives is different because God’s Spirit is at work within them. Our actions—especially how we love—reveal our true spiritual heritage. [16:23]
4. Living out real faith involves risk and may invite misunderstanding or opposition. Just as Abel’s righteousness provoked Cain’s hatred, authentic Christian love can be costly and countercultural. We are not called to be secret disciples, but to love openly, even when it is difficult or misunderstood. [21:40]
5. Assurance and confidence in our faith grow as we put love into action. When doubts or self-condemnation arise, the remedy is not to retreat inward, but to serve others in practical ways. As we love in deed and truth, our hearts are reassured, and we experience the reality of God’s Spirit abiding in us. [27:53]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[01:11] - The Rescue at Bay Beach
[02:30] - CPR and God’s Providence
[04:02] - Recognizing the Heroes
[05:29] - God at Work in Everyday Life
[06:34] - Love in Action: The Christian Life
[07:59] - 1 John 3:16 and the Call to Love
[09:42] - The Origin of Real Faith
[13:13] - The Evidence of Real Faith
[17:46] - The Risks of Real Faith
[18:46] - Cain and Abel: A Lesson in Sacrifice
[21:40] - The Cost of Open Faith
[23:04] - The Practice of Real Faith
[24:41] - Loving in Deed, Not Just in Word
[26:56] - Confidence Through Love in Action
[30:03] - When Our Hearts Condemn Us
[32:28] - Praying and Living in God’s Will
[33:26] - The Gospel and the Spirit’s Assurance

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

1 John 3:9-24 (ESV) —
> 9 No one born of God makes a practice of sinning, for God's seed abides in him; and he cannot keep on sinning, because he has been born of God.
> 10 By this it is evident who are the children of God, and who are the children of the devil: whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is the one who does not love his brother.
> 11 For this is the message that you have heard from the beginning, that we should love one another.
> 12 We should not be like Cain, who was of the evil one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his own deeds were evil and his brother's righteous.
> 13 Do not be surprised, brothers, that the world hates you.
> 14 We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brothers. Whoever does not love abides in death.
> 15 Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him.
> 16 By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers.
> 17 But if anyone has the world's goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God's love abide in him?
> 18 Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.
> 19 By this we shall know that we are of the truth and reassure our heart before him;
> 20 for whenever our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and he knows everything.
> 21 Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence before God;
> 22 and whatever we ask we receive from him, because we keep his commandments and do what pleases him.
> 23 And this is his commandment, that we believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ and love one another, just as he has commanded us.
> 24 Whoever keeps his commandments abides in God, and God in him. And by this we know that he abides in us, by the Spirit whom he has given us.

Observation Questions

According to 1 John 3:16, how do we know what love is, and what does this mean for how we should treat others?
What is the difference between loving “in word or talk” and loving “in deed and in truth” as described in verse 18?
In the sermon, what ordinary, everyday examples were given of “love in action”? [[06:34]]
What does the passage say is the evidence that someone is truly a child of God? [[16:23]]

Interpretation Questions

The sermon says that the foundation of real faith is God’s initiative, not our own effort. How does this understanding affect the way a Christian approaches loving others? [[10:45]]
Why might living out real faith and loving others openly sometimes lead to misunderstanding or even opposition from the world? [[21:40]]
The passage and sermon both mention that assurance and confidence in our faith grow as we put love into action. Why do you think serving others helps reassure our hearts when we doubt? [[27:53]]
The story of the six friends at the bay was used as an example of God’s providence. How does this story help us understand what it means to be “ready and willing” for God’s purposes, even in ordinary moments? [[04:02]]

Application Questions

The sermon emphasized that most of us are not called to dramatic, heroic acts, but to steady, faithful love in daily life. What is one “ordinary” way you can show love in action this week—at home, work, or church? [[06:34]]
When was the last time you saw someone in need and had the opportunity to help, but hesitated or walked away? What kept you from acting, and what could you do differently next time? [[24:41]]
The passage says, “let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.” Is there someone in your life right now who needs more than just encouraging words from you? What practical step could you take to serve them this week? [[24:41]]
The sermon mentioned that living out faith can be risky and may lead to misunderstanding or even rejection. Have you ever experienced pushback for your faith or for loving others in Jesus’ name? How did you respond? [[21:40]]
When you struggle with doubts about your faith or feel self-condemned, do you tend to turn inward or outward? How could serving others help you experience more assurance in your walk with God? [[27:53]]
The story of the six friends at the bay beach showed how God can use our presence and readiness for His purposes. Are you open and attentive to the needs around you, even in unexpected moments? What might help you be more aware and willing? [[04:02]]
The sermon said, “doing the right thing at the right time for the right reason, all for the glory of God, is the essence of Christianity.” What is one area of your life where you need to be more intentional about doing the right thing for God’s glory? [[06:34]]

Sermon Clips

And do you know that God is at work in all things at all times through all people for his glory? And maybe once in a lifetime you as a believer may have an opportunity to do something and be a hero. Maybe you will. But for the most of us, we're just raising our children. We're getting them to school. We're helping them with their homework. We're helping our neighbor who is sick. We're just doing those small daily kindnesses. So don't think that love in action is just some big miracle that you're supposed to do because most of us will never have that experience. Love in action is loving your neighbor as yourself in loving God with heart, soul, mind, and strength. This is what Christianity is. [00:05:56] (47 seconds) #GodAtWorkInSmallActs

``You do the right thing at the right time for the right reason for the glory of God. That's what a Christian is. And sometimes you may have an opportunity to do something unusual. Until you get an opportunity for the unusual, do the usual. Do the regular. Care for the widows and the orphans. and feed the hungry and care for the sick and love the depressed and encourage those who are anxious. Until you have an opportunity to do the unusual, do the usual for the glory of God. And this is honoring to Him. And this is required of the Christian. [00:06:43] (42 seconds) #DoTheUsualForGlory

By the way we live, it is clear to everyone whether we're children of Jesus, of God and followers of Jesus, or whether we're children of the devil. You see, right here in the text. It's evident whether you're a child of God or a child of the devil. Whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is the one who does not love his brother. [00:16:34] (26 seconds) #ChildrenOfLightAndLove

We must love one another. That's a message that needs to be modeled in society. It's always been needed, but right now it's desperately needed. For this is the message that you have heard from the beginning, that we should love one another. [00:17:10] (17 seconds) #LoveOneAnotherAlways

Do not be surprised, brothers, that the world hates you. You know what? The world will never hate a secret disciple. You'll never have any persecution. No one will ever call you a fanatic. Someone told me that because she wants to be baptized, her friends say that she's coming to a cult at this church. You'll never be told you're coming to a cult if you're a secret disciple. Jesus didn't die for secret disciples. He died to send us to the whole world with the good news. What's your excuse if no one ever hates you for your faith? There's real risk. [00:21:41] (58 seconds) #FaithBringsPersecution

Little children, let us not love in word or talk, but in deed and in truth. The evangelical church has kind of gotten into this situation. We have created stadium churches where believers think it's their, what being Christian is, I'll just come and watch. I'll put in some dollars. I might volunteer at my convenience. This is kind of how it is these days. But can you imagine what it was like in the early first? century when the Holy Spirit came upon the church? They were sharing their money. They were sharing their food. Everything was common. Can you imagine a world like that where Christians live like that? Isn't that what this text is calling for? Little children, let us not love in word or talk, but in deed and in truth. [00:23:56] (54 seconds) #LoveInDeedAndTruth

The Christian life is day by day doing the right thing for the glory of God. Colossians tells us, do all things as unto the Lord Jesus Christ. When you're working on your project at work, when you're serving another person in your profession, you can do the best you can, just like you're doing it for Jesus. That's Christian. That's what we do. There's no compromise about that. [00:25:04] (33 seconds) #WorkAsForTheLord

Your heart will condemn you because of emotional abuse, because of mental health issues. Sometimes your heart will condemn you because you're living in open rebellious sin unrepentantly. Sometimes your heart will condemn you because you really are not saved. You're like, I don't even know if I love God. It could simply be that you won't believe the word of God and you're doing all you can to worship him, but there's not enough in your own mind. It could be emotional instability. It could be anxiety. It could be depression. It could be any of these things. But the prescription for all of these things is simply this. Do not love the world. Love the word, not just in talk, but in deed. Your heart might condemn you, but notice this. God is greater than our heart and he knows everything. [00:30:03] (69 seconds) #GodIsGreaterThanOurHeart

What is the whole gospel? This is His command, that we believe in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, and love one another as He has commanded us. Whoever keeps His commandments abides in God and God in Him. And by this we know, see the confidence language again, by this we know that He abides in us by the Spirit whom He has given to us. [00:33:26] (28 seconds) #BelieveAndLoveCommand

Thanks be to God for grace greater than our sin and for confidence that we might obey and walk daily, not trying to perform the miraculous, but trying to be faithful in the daily. Help us to do this, Lord Jesus. [00:33:53] (19 seconds) #GraceForDailyFaithfulness

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