By Brother Tom Albin 

Brother E. Stanley Jones was a Christ follower first and a Methodist second. The training and education he received at Asbury College in Wilmore, Kentucky, was biblical, Wesleyan (that is–fully informed by the sermons, letters, hymns, books and tracts of John and Charles Wesley, the sons of Samuel and Susanna Wesley, both born in the 18th century).

In contrast to the revivalism of the 18th and 19th centuries that focused on “the four last things: death, judgment, heaven and hell”, the Wesley brothers focused on “the command to love God and neighbor with all our hearts…” Conversion was described as “giving the heart to God” so the man or woman–boy or girl–who was born again was spiritually born from above. The love of God was expected to fill the heart and life of the new Christian through the Holy Spirit given to him or her (Romans 5:5).

The expectation was that “perfect love casts out all fear” so the new believer could love as Jesus loved and live as Jesus lived–what Brother Stanley would call the transformational miracle of “my all for His All.”

When we are filled with the love of God–we have no fear of feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, visiting those who are sick and in prison. Love sees the person in need as our brother or sister–not an enemy or threat.

As we enter this final quarter of 2026, let me invite you to “give your heart to God” anew. Please join me in this prayer or one that is from your own heart and in your own words.

Jesus, I give you my heart–my deepest–most authentic self. I humbly ask you to forgive all my half-hearted, self-centered attitudes and actions.  Free me for joyful obedience to You. Fill me with Your love so that my love can give life to all around me. I thank you that “God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.” (Romans 5:5)  Amen.