I usually try to steer away from religious discussions due to how personal they can become. What I can say from personal experience, however, is that I absolutely agree with you that those who "walk the walk" best are those who just quietly go about their business without looking for a lot of public accolades.
When I first met the man who would become my father-in-law, I was a very young man-in-the-rough. I didn't have a father-figure in my childhood to guide me and I really needed some guidance. What I remember most about him was that, when I would go to him for assistance or advice, he would always put whatever he was doing aside and turn to face me, giving me 100% of his attention. That was incredibly striking to me.
He was a Methodist who disagreed with a lot of what the church did and was doing, and certainly didnt' attend church weekly either, but he felt that the best solution was to be a quiet role model for whomever came to him.
I to avoid discussing church
Your father in law sounds an amazing man
He really was. He taught me more about being a responsible adult than anyone else, and I really miss him.