Arthur Robinzine is newly ordained to the ministry of ruling elder. He continues on his journey through the Reformed faith and Presbyterianism. This means working through the theologies of his origins and the theologies of the Reformed rite.
Photo: Gerald Farinas.
What does faith look like when it is put into action? Faith is far more than a claim we make. How can others witness our faith if we never live it out? Because none of us is perfect, faith remains a work in progress. Still, believers make the greatest impact when they put their convictions into practice. Anyone can profess belief, but living out what we hold in our hearts requires real commitment.
We are called to be transformed believers, renewed by faith. When we receive the Holy Spirit, we are prompted to live differently from the surrounding culture: to be in the world, but not of it. As ambassadors for Christ, we represent the One who sent us, pointing others to the way, the truth, and the life found in God.
Our lives change because God calls us to a higher purpose. Scripture nurtures our faith and provides the wisdom we need for daily living. As we engage with it, our lives are reshaped. We will face good days and difficult days, and at times we may stumble into temptation or struggle with sin. Yet when we pray and anchor ourselves in Scripture, we build a dependable foundation for how we live and demonstrate the lasting value of following God's guidance.
God provided instructions for our earthly journey and called us to share that truth with those who do not know it. Rather than conforming to the world around us, we are invited to walk the narrow path and bring others along with us.
A common pitfall for both new and mature Christians is assuming that faith is simply the finish line: a ticket to heaven that requires nothing more of us. God asks far more of our time on Earth. Christ likened the kingdom of God to a mustard seed that grows into a tree large enough for birds to nest in its branches. The seed of faith has been planted in our hearts; our calling is to let it take deep root and bear fruit for God's glory.
This journey requires our willing participation. God does not compel our devotion; He calls us to choose freely whom we will serve, responding with grateful obedience rather than reluctant compliance. As we study Scripture and put it into daily practice, our lives become living testimonies of God's goodness and grace.
Good works do not earn our salvation. Rather, our works are the natural fruit of our redemption, serving as visible signs of God's kingdom breaking into the world.
When our lives fail to produce spiritual fruit, it often means our roots have not reached deep enough into the soil of God's grace. Worldly distractions can easily crowd out the life God envisions for us. Yet as the psalmist reminds us, God's decrees are sweeter than honey dripping from the honeycomb. Aligning our lives with God brings genuine joy, comfort, and restoration. Walking with Christ is not a burden; it is a sacred journey where God's light shines through us into the lives of everyone we meet.
