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How do you decide when standing up for something (or someone) is worth the risks involved? Can our faith help us out? If our faith in Jesus lies at the core of our lives, then our convictions should and will emerge as a result of that faith.
As disciples of Jesus, baptism guides our convictions. In the life of baptism, we are asked the following: Are we living among God’s faithful people? Are we hearing the word of God and sharing in the Lord’s supper? Are we proclaiming the good news of God in Christ through word and deed? Are we serving all people, following the example of Jesus? Are we striving for justice and peace in all the earth? For me, I decided that striving for justice and peace meant contributing to efforts that address the systemic causes of homelessness in my community.
Our convictions represent our faith. They are our faith. The ways in which we use our voices, our money, our time, and our talents say something about the God in whom we place our trust. Claimed in baptism we remember that we are loved by the One who stood for us.
This message is excerpted from “Faith in action” by Emily K. Hartner in the October 2025 Café online magazine.