Pledge to Participate

The Christians of this world are involved in a philosophy whether they know it or not. This is true because we live in one world but our hope of life is in another world. In other words, we find our reality in a transcendentalism required by our faith. Our God cannot be explained by natural laws although we observe the handiwork of His creation. The problem of philosophy is that it all takes place in our head if we talk about anything beyond common experience. What is the practical link between God’s world and this world? We usually think of the existence of God as supernatural and His truth as some abstract thought. However, the connection we seek is a fundamental truth of Christianity, which is our full participation in the life of Christ. The Spirit extends the presence of Christ, as today’s ministry of Christ, through our body as we participate.

There was a brilliant 18^th century German philosopher named Kant. He spent a lifetime struggling to explain how these two worlds interact. Later in his life, he said that the bridge connecting them was man’s purpose and determination. Of course, believers know the bridge is faith in the Savior. People of faith sometimes make the same mistake as the philosophers when they fail to make the bridge real in their lives. The Scriptures tell us many times that we are to participate in the activities between our world and the spiritual world. It is ironic that Kant spent his life in search of a bridge to God and his first name was Immanuel. Many years ago there was another man named Immanuel (Is 7:14) that came to earth to be the bridge between people and the Almighty. For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all men. 1Tim 2:5,6

Churches do have a ceremony that represents this wonderful connection with the spiritual world. Believers often misunderstand the communion service. Paul explained with these questions, Is not the cup of thanksgiving for which we give thanks a participation in the blood of Christ? And is not the bread that we break a participation in the body of Christ? 1 Cor 10:16 To take part in communion is making a pledge to be one with our Savior. During the communion service we consume the blood of the covenant (the forsaking of all sin) and we consume the body of Christ (the pledge of our life for God). To make this connection with the spiritual world, we must die to this world and ask the Spirit to direct our new life. Believers usually feel this obligation but many times will abandon it and do other things. Jesus Christ is the provision that sustains our state of being eternal in the spiritual world.

Moses was the greatest believer in Israel’s history because he kept the pledge to participate in God’s plan. He persevered because he saw him who is invisible. By faith he kept the Passover and the sprinkling of blood, so that the destroyer of the firstborn would not touch the firstborn of Israel. Heb 11:27,28  Moses represented the Savior while he directed God’s people out of Egypt. After a faithful follower has taken the communion (Passover) they are to actively represent the Savior (sprinkling of blood). This keeps the Devil from destroying us. The old Catholic idea that somehow the bread and wine can become real Christ (transubstantiation) misses the point completely. The point being that we participate in a complete life of representing Christ on earth today. The Savior does not enter the elements; He enters us. This is why a human is the only thing on earth going to Heaven.

We are considering a spiritual life that is beyond the common experience of humans. Paul talks about this new life many times. Anyone who eats and drinks (communion) without recognizing the body of the Lord, eats and drinks judgment on himself. That is why many among you are weak and sick, and a number of you have fallen asleep. But if we judged ourselves, we would not come under judgment. 1 Cor 11:29-31 There are believers who think that they must be very careful of the way they take communion as if transubstantiation were true. It is not the service we are warned about but our participation in the life of Christ. This is why Paul says “but if we judged ourselves” there will be no reason for judgment later. Instead, some people will excuse their behavior by saying “it’s not possible to live like Jesus did”. Faith is the only way for a mortal to utilize this connection with the spiritual world and sincerity of our faith is what God judges.

Having Jesus in us or being in Him is the way we reach our destination of another world to live in heaven forever. The Scriptures say that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God (1 Cor 15:50). It should be obvious that we need endless spiritual help. At times believers are caught up in Bible studies as a substitute for their participation in the body and blood. Paul warned the Jews about this very thing, You diligently study the Scriptures because you think that by them you possess eternal life. These are the Scriptures that testify about me, yet you refuse to come to me to have life. John 5:39,40 Look at this as a partnership with Jesus the savior. We should actively socialize with our Savior in order to understand the will of God for our life. The quickening of the Spirit is the power that changes us from a mortal into an immortal.

Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps. “He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth.”  He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed. 1 Pet 2:21,22,24

Honor the pledge and participate.