by Raimer Rojas
Discipleship • Holistic Discipleship
How Right Belief Affects The Other Three • How Right Emotion Affects The Other Three • How Right Action Affects The Other Three
At the intersection of orthopróthesis (right motivation) with orthodoxy (right belief), orthopraxis (right action), and orthopathos (right feeling/emotion), we see embodied faith as the seamless fusion of inner intent with outward expression. This integration reflects a discipleship that is authentic, Spirit-formed, and aligned with God’s will. The following phrases represent the union of each pair:
Integrity of Faith (Orthopróthesis + Orthodoxy) - This union is best captured by the phrase "integrity of faith," reflecting a harmony between what one believes and the motivations behind those beliefs. True belief is not just intellectually sound but also driven by holy affections—Spirit-wrought desires that incline the heart toward God. It ensures that faith is not merely an exercise of the mind but a sincere conviction shaped by love for truth, a longing to know God through obedience, and a genuine desire to honor Him.
2. Righteous Living (Orthopróthesis + Orthopraxis) - The intersection of right motivation and right action is expressed as "righteous living." This phrase conveys that actions are not performed out of obligation, self-interest, or external pressure, but rather from a heart genuinely aligned with God’s will. When motivations are formed by holy affections, righteous actions become a natural overflow, ensuring that obedience is rooted in love for God rather than mere duty or fear. In this way, righteous living demonstrates a deep connection between a pure inner purpose and godly outward behavior.
3. Purity of Heart (Orthopróthesis + Orthopathos) - When right motivation and right feelings intersect, "purity of heart" captures this union. This phrase reflects a heart wholly transformed by the Spirit, where emotions such as love, joy, and compassion flow from a foundation of godly desires. As Jonathan Edwards emphasized, true affections are not fleeting emotions but deep heart-inclinations toward God’s righteousness. This aligns with Jesus’ words: “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God” (Matthew 5:8).
Each of these combinations highlights a different dimension of embodied faith, where internal motivations work in harmony with beliefs, actions, and emotions to form a fully integrated and authentic spiritual life. When our hearts are shaped by the Spirit, our discipleship is marked by integrity, love, and a sustained pursuit of God’s glory, rather than temporary enthusiasm or external conformity.