Participation is an important part of the Christian Faith.  Through the grace of God, the blood of Jesus saves us, but there is more to faith than just knowing and believing. 

Philippians is one of Paul’s love letters that he writes to the people of Philippi.

He writes,“ I thank my God in all my remembrance of you always offering prayer with joy in my every prayer for you in view of your participation in the gospel from the first day until now” (Phil. 1:3-5).  Paul’s says that his heart is filled with joy because of their participation in the gospel.  “Koinonia” in Greek means participation; fellowship where two people are in the same ship.  If there is a leak on one side of the boat, it affects all people; everyone is on the same ship. 

It is important to participate and not just look the part. Just because we look and talk the part does not mean we are participating as Christians.  People can say they are Christians and go through the motions.  Going through the motions does not qualify as faith.  We may go to church on Sunday, but don’t get involved with the gospel and share it.  For Christ we must not just think about it, talk about it and like it; we must participate in it.

In the book of Philippians Paul addresses three myths about the Christian Faith:

MYTH #1

1. IF YOU BELIEVE IN JESUS AND CAN QUOTE THE BIBLE, YOU WILL GO TO HEAVEN.

Although you read scripture and quote the Bible, it does not mean that you have the right spirit.

Paul explains: “Some, to be sure, are preaching Christ even from envy and strife … out of selfish ambition rather than from pure motives, thinking to cause me distress in my imprisonment” (Phil. 1:15-17).

The Bible also says, "Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of My Father who is in heaven” (Matt. 7:21).

A person may know and quote scripture, but if he or she is preaching out of envy or strife, the whole gospel is missed.  People can sound good, and say all the right things, but don’t act accordingly. Participating in the Gospel can be totally missed.  Just because a person believes in God, quotes scripture, and says the right things does not mean a thing.  If you only believe in God and quote scripture you are at the same level with the Devil. 

The book of James declares,

“You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that, and shudder“

(Jas. 2:19).

The Devil and his demons believe in God and know His scripture.  What sets us apart is obedience and participation in the gospel. One step of obedience is worth a thousand sermons. As a New Hope church, we need to participate in the Gospel. Without participating we don’t make a difference.  When we participate we make a difference.

MYTH #2

2. IT IS THE CHURCH’S DUTY TO POINT OUT THE SINS OF THE WORLD!

There is only one who can point out the sins of the world, and that is because He died for the sins of the world.  It doesn’t mean that we can ignore the sins of the world; we are not to belittle, and judge the sins of the world. Our duty is to seek and save those that are lost.  We cannot ignore sin, otherwise it will make sin normal and we will lose heart and leave sinners to their sins.  This is exactly what the enemy wants, so he can take them all and destroy them. 

We are called by God to seek and save those that are lost. If the enemy can convince us that they’re normal and they are not lost, we then lose heart for them.  For example, there are people living in homosexuality. It is a sin, and God loves them and He wants to reach them.  The enemy tries to normalize the sin so we don’t have a heart anymore because we feel that the sinners are fine.  We don’t want to try to save the person and ignore the sin, we must deal with the sin and deal with the person otherwise the sin will continue.

Just because a person is struggling with a sin, if it is homosexuality, pornography, fornication, anger, envy, etc… it does not mean that they are not loved.  You are loved and much loved.  It is not the goal or role of the church to point out everyone’s sins, but sin cannot be ignored because the Bible says this, “Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people” (Prov. 14:34).

We must appear as lights to the world holding fast to the word of life. We cannot ignore sin; we must help people to find their way home.  We have to be lighthouses so people can navigate their way home. Paul writes, “Do all things without grumbling or disputing; that you may prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world.  Holding fast the word of life so that in the day of Christ, I may have cause to glory because I did not run in vain nor toil in vain” (Phil. 2:14-16). 

The current issue today is the same-sex marriage bill.  Special legislation was stopped, but the issue will come again. The way the legislation is written gives the legislators the right to define marriage as between a man and woman.  The legislators also have the right to redefine it. That is why it is important to go to our senators and representatives and tell them not to vote for this legislation. They are the ones representing us. If we don’t speak up, they will think that we are fine with it. 

Jesus worked by changing hearts, not by legislating change.  Legislation will force compliance because it’s the law, it will not change people hearts.  Legislation can steal the virtue of the heart.  It forces people to obey and do things, rather than doing it out of their heart.  It can create entitlement and antagonism. Forcing compliance steals virtue out of a community. 

We have freedom of speech, which allows a person to say what ever they want to say.  Along with that, we have the freedom not to speak.  We have the freedom to advocate and the freedom not to advocate. Freedom of speech works two ways.  A photographer in New Mexico was fined $6000 because she refused to service a gay wedding.  The New Mexico Supreme Court said that she violated the first amendment and discriminated against the homosexuals.  The courts compared it to discriminating against a race.  Comparing homosexuality and race is fashionable today, but it is a complete fallacy.  Homosexuality is chosen behavior, while race is genetic. People are born into a race, and it has been researched that there is no gay gene.  You can have a person who is a former homosexual, but you can never have a person who is a former white, Asian, or black.

We all have tendencies, but tendencies are not genetic. If there is a tendency, you don’t have to act it out.  Just because there are tendencies, it doesn’t mean the whole country must be forced to advocate for them to act it out. As Christians we need to minister to them. Simply telling them that the Bible says they are sinners doesn’t help them. 

Myth # 3

3. GOD WILL BE WITH ME WHATEVER WE DO.

Paul writes, “The things which you have learned and received and heard in me, practice these things and the God of peace will be with you” (Phil. 4:9).

God gave us the Word and He wants us to practice these things.  He does not want us to loosen up on His morals.  We do not want God to loosen up on His laws:

“By the word of the Lord the heavens were made … He spoke, and it was done; He commanded, and it stood fast” (Ps. 33:6, 9).

If God’s laws change we would be in trouble.  His laws make the world perfect for us to live in.  The sun, moon, and earth are in coordinated position and move with the rhythm of God’s laws.  We as God’s people want to be in rhythm with God and His laws.

The cost of obedience is nothing compared to the cost of disobedience.

Disobedience will destroy us. As Christians we must break these myths in our faith and participate in our faith. It is all for God’s glory and to be lights in the world.

Study Questions:

1.   What does it mean to participate?

2.   In what ways can you participate?

3.   How can we address sin in the world without compromising the heart of Christ?

4.   What is does it mean to act like a Christian vs. being a Christian who participates?