Devotion 24 August 2026

The only thing that really counts is faith that shows itself through love. Galatians 5: 6b

READING: Galatians 5: 2-15

In Galatians chapter 5 we are reminded that our faith, our belief in Jesus Christ as our Saviour, is not simply something that we pledge once at a confirmation service, or once a week as we recite the creed at a Sunday service. It is not even just obeying certain rules and laws.

Faith is the continual, practical interaction of a loving relationship with God and the people among whom He has placed us.

Matthew Henry, writing about verse 6 in Galatians 5, said, “True faith is a working grace; it works by love to God and to our brethren”. Our faith is a living, practical undertaking, that includes serving “one another in love” (vs14).

How will we do this? Through God’s grace, the free undeserved gift that empowers our lives. John Piper describes God’s grace as “both the inclination of the divine heart to treat us better than we deserve and the extension of that inclination in practical help”.

Of course, Paul is repeating Jesus’s call to love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, and to love our neighbour as ourself (Mark 12:30-31). As we express our faith in God by acts of love and service to the people around us, through God’s empowering grace, we find that life has greater meaning, as we work together with God, in loving relationship.

Prayer

Jesus, my Saviour, I thank you for the grace which empowers my life, and enables me to love others around me with Your love. Help me to love You with all my heart, soul, mind and strength. In Your name, Amen