In Article 17: Discipleship and the Christian Life we encounter the call to a life that is more than belief. Belief is important, but true faith in Christ means much more than that. It means a life that is shaped by our faith and that makes our faith evident to those around us.
As Jesus tells us, we are to take up our cross and follow Him. To do so, we must be transformed by the power of the Holy Spirit and conformed to Christ rather than the world. We must realize that faith is more than salvation. It is also discipleship. And true faith in Christ means doing the will of God, seeking first God's kingdom, and acting for peace and justice. It means giving our first loyalty to God's kingdom, truth telling, chastity and loving faithfulness, treating our bodies as God's temples, and being compassionate. This is a life of faithfulness and this serves as a testimony to an unbelieving world.
We know, however, from Matthew 7:13-14 that the way of following Christ, the way of discipleship, is not an easy way. It is the narrow gate and the narrow road that lead us to Christ and life. Yet as 2 Timothy 2:11-12 assures us, if we die with Him; He lives with us. And if we endure, we will also reign with him. True faith in Christ means more than belief and salvation. True faith in Christ means a life of discipleship.
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