by Aaron Davis
This essential unity principle seems to transcend all of physical existence, from the atomic level all the way up to the connectedness and interaction of physical matter and energy-sustaining life as a whole on earth. Even extending to the gravitational interaction between stars, planets, moons, and even galaxies interacting with each other, each seemingly providing an essential aspect that apparently somehow balances the overall scales. And like the absence of a single atom within a molecule changes the entire molecule, so also does the absence of one of these factors within the equation of life and human existence.
I read a quotation recently about this interconnectedness that said, “It’s a law of physics that elements want to unify. Single cells in a Petri dish thrash around until they coalesce. And events in the universe that once seemed random are eventually revealed to have an underlying connectedness.”109
I’m reminded of a study I read on mycorrhizal networks of trees and fungus (or how trees and fungus interrelate). In this study, it was discovered that within a forest’s ecosystem, the older trees were actually instrumental in feeding the younger trees beneath the canopy through the interconnectedness of their roots with mycorrhizal fungi. It was fascinating to me to see that the trees didn’t exist independently of, but rather in direct connection with, the whole, drawing nourishment from and giving nourishment to the other trees and plants within their unified network—each playing their necessary part to the progress, nourishment, and growth of the whole.110
Although this is a very intriguing study, it is not surprising to me; it only reiterates what seems to me to be the rule as it pertains to the unity and interconnectedness of creation. The soil nourishes the plants that provide the oxygen that is breathed in by the animals who exhale the carbon dioxide that feeds the plants, all receiving their energy from the sun and water, and completing the circle of life and exampling absolute interdependence of all living things within the earth.
QUANTUM ENTANGLEMENT
On a quantum and infinitely smaller scale, there is a connection called quantum entanglement. Scientifically speaking, when a photon passes through matter, it is absorbed by an electron. This interaction can cause a photon to decay into two photons as it is emitted from the electron. The total energy of the two new photons then equals the energy of the original photon. These two new, smaller photons are said to be “entangled” with one another, and they mysteriously remain “partners” for life. If two particles are entangled, they act in some respects as if they still were a single object.
According to quantum-entanglement experiments, measuring the action and reaction of the properties of one entangled photon will immediately tell you the properties of the other with absolute consistency.111 In other words, what you do to one, absolutely and superluminally (faster than light) affects the other, regardless of the space between them. So, once entanglement happens, if those entangled photons are separated to opposite ends of the universe, what you do to influence the response of one will immediately change the other in exact proportion to the interaction with the entangled partner.
“In Quantum mechanics, all the forces of nature are mediated by the exchange of particles such as photons, and these particles must obey the cosmic speed limit. So, theoretically, an action ‘here’ cannot cause an effect ‘over there’ any sooner than it would take light to travel there in a vacuum. However, two entangled particles can influence one another instantaneously, whether they’re in the same room or at opposite ends of the universe.”112
This is yet another mind-blowing aspect of the quantum world defying what we would have previously understood or believed to even be possible from a scientific understanding of space, time, and matter. What would make no sense based upon our current understanding of the science proves to be possible beyond scientific explanation.
In 1982, Alain Aspect, the French physicist noted for his experimental work on quantum entanglement, conducted experiments that proved the consistency of entanglement, which science writer Jean Staune documents in his essay, “On the Edge of Physics,” writing:113
Aspect’s experiments demonstrated instantaneous interaction between particles 12 meters apart: a communication time of less than a billionth of a second, or 20 times faster than the supposedly unbreakable speed of light. This was followed in 1978 but the work of Nicolas Gisin, who worked with distances of 10 kilometers and showed a speed of the observed phenomenon 10,000 times faster than the speed of light. These first experimental evidences of “ghost links” over such distances have been used by others, such as Gilles Brassard and his team, to demonstrate the principle of “quantum teleportation.” When the first twin of the two linked particles meets a third particle, the second twin will receive- via “teleportation,” the properties of the new particle although it has not come in contact with it.114
It seems apparent that interconnectedness—and even entanglement—is part of all that God has created from an atomic level, all the way to how galaxies interact with each other. God did not create life to function independently but in unity, and I wonder if this model doesn’t also extend to the establishment of His kingdom on the earth as well.
THE DANGER IN DIVISIONS
Isn’t it interesting how intently human beings seem to pursue division? It’s as if, even if it is not obvious, we are intent on finding the thing that makes us different from others, and then once we do, allowing that which is different to also be that which separates us. We see it in nationalities, political parties, races, social classes, sexes, ages, religious affiliations, even down to arguing about which car manufacturer produces a better pickup truck.
I’ve even met some who will intentionally disagree and argue the counterpoint just for the sake of disagreement, even if they don’t subscribe to the perspective they are defending. It’s as if human beings are intent on being divided all the way down to inconsequential and nonsensical issues, and I just question if actions have reactions and we reap what we sow, what is the cost of our divisive pursuits?
Outside of a religious experience, we see the results of such intentional divisions resulting in wars, displayed anger, and internal bitterness and strife—but do these results differ within the church? Is it possible that the results and their consequences are even amplified in cases pertaining to the establishment of the kingdom of God, or perhaps the lack thereof? And could it be that, when Jesus prayed for unity in John 17, that there may be eternal ramifications in our intentionality or lack thereof in pursuing it?
John 17:19–23 (NLT)
“And I give myself as a holy sacrifice for them so they can be made holy by your truth.
I am praying not only for these disciples but also for all who will ever believe in me through their message. I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one—as you are in me, Father, and I am in you. And may they be in us so that the world will believe you sent me.
I have given them the glory you gave me, so they may be one as we are one. I am in them and you are in me. May they experience such perfect unity that the world will know that you sent me and that you love them as much as you love me.”
I find it very interesting that this is the prayer that Jesus prays, not only for the disciples that were present with Him, but for all who will ever believe in Him through their message. This was Jesus’ final prayer, for you and for me, knowing the weight of what He was about to fulfill through His crucifixion. It seems to me that unity within the body of Christ was the understood catalyst by Jesus for people receiving the gospel.
When I couple this prayer with the Great Commission, where Jesus told His disciples to go into all the world and preach the gospel, and the Great Commandment (listed in scriptures below), where Jesus explains what is most important in God’s eyes, I wonder if there is not an underlying principle where unity actually ties together all that God intended within the establishment of His kingdom on the earth.
Matthew 28:16–20 (NIV)
The Great Commission
Then the
eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. Then Jesus came to them and said, ”All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Luke 10:19 (NIV)
I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you.
Matthew 18:18–20 (NLT)
“I tell you the truth, whatever you forbid on earth will be forbidden in heaven, and whatever you permit on earth will be permitted in heaven.
I also tell you this: If two of you agree here on earth concerning anything you ask, my Father in heaven will do it for you. For where two or three gather together as my followers, I am there among them.”
Matthew 22:36–40 (NLT)
The Great Commandment
“Teacher, which is the most important commandment in the law of Moses?”
Jesus replied, ”You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments.”
I wonder if it is possible that functioning in love and unity are what ultimately displays God’s love and kindness to people. Perhaps this submission and institution of these kingdom principles is actually what is instrumental in them coming to understand who God is and their surrendering their lives to His liberation as Romans 2:4 seems to clearly emphasize.
Romans 2:4 (NLT)
Don’t you see how wonderfully kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you? Does this mean nothing to you? Can’t you see that his kindness is intended to turn you from your sin?
The obvious immediate retort in this unity concept is that it borders on a utopian ideal that, considering human personalities and responses, is unlikely to ever happen on a large scale. Heck, we can’t get along from a fractional perspective in a single church of one hundred people. How are we going to come into agreement on a whole scale?
Although I don’t expect everyone to enter into this pursuit, the exponential butterfly effect of people changing the way they think about issues and coming to an understanding on the importance of it will cause ripples that have the potential to change the tides as we know them at this point in church history, both as it pertains to how Christians accept each other and how they receive those who are not yet believers (or maybe never will be).
What we are experiencing now in the church is a direct result of what has been taught (both verbally and through our actions). If we change how we think, we will change what we teach, and in a generation, we can uproot the unhealthy teachings and actions of previous generations and deposit in the next generation the importance of walking in love and unity from the perspective of our leader—Jesus Christ.
I couldn’t possibly count the numbers of people I have spoken with over the years who wanted nothing to do with Christianity, not because of Jesus, but the way they were treated by those who call themselves His people. Professed Christians are often the catalyst for people not wanting anything to do with their Jesus because of a blatant pursuit of division and exclusivity—not just with other Christians but even in opposition to the very nature of God through a failure to display unity, kindness, and love.
John 13:35 (NASB)
By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.
I John 4:8 (NASB)
The one who does not love does not know God, for God is love.
Because of this opposition and disunity, we are seeing the statistical decline of Christianity as a whole.
I Corinthians 12:12–27 (NIV)
Unity and Diversity in the Body
Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many.
Now if the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? But in fact God has placed the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. If they were all one part, where would the body be? As it is, there are many parts, but one body.
The eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you!” And the head cannot say to the feet, “I don’t need you!” On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty, while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has put the body together, giving greater honor to the parts that lacked it, so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.
Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.
In parallel to this passage of scripture, at a conference last year, a pastor said, “The only way the body of Christ is great is when they are together,”115 and in contrast I know what the alternative looks like—it looks like our reality today.
The fact that we are referred to as a part of the body of Christ and the bride of Christ speaks volumes of God’s intentions for us. First Corinthians 12 is a clear expression of how our intentional God-ordained differences are not an exception to, but actually a necessary aspect of, the whole. Some will have one type of gifting, another will be completely different, but all are inspired and apportioned by Him. It seems to me that there is no greater justification or acknowledgment of our differences in scripture than this chapter.
I Corinthians 12:11 (AMP)
All these [gifts, achievements, abilities] are inspired and brought to pass by one and the same [Holy] Spirit, Who apportions to each person individually [exactly] as He chooses.
God wasn’t confused when He made you different; He created each of us as individuals specifically for the sake of what that individuality has to offer to the completion of the whole! One of the most significant failures of religious institutions may be when they have tried to suppress the individuality of people in an attempt to make them more acceptable by their standards, or in an attempt to make them appear like another part of the body that they themselves more closely resembled.
The alternative to a body that is together is a body that is divided. It’s no secret what happens when a piece of a human body is removed from the whole. Immediately, the flesh begins to die. Not only does that part die but also the necessary part it played to the whole now has to function in a crippled state. Certainly, the hand can learn to function without a finger, but not as optimally as it was created to. The more body parts you amputate, the more crippled the body becomes and the less it is able to accomplish. The amputated part is ultimately functionless apart from the whole, and the whole suffers because of the amputation.
FAILURE TO YIELD
Here we see that seeking and striving after His kingdom or God’s ways of doing things is a key to experiencing our other needs being met.
Matthew 6:33 (AMP)
But seek (aim at and strive after) first of all His kingdom and His righteousness (His way of doing and being right), and then all these things taken together will be given you besides.
Are
we experiencing a yield failure because of a failure to yield? Are we not seeing the manifested provision in our lives because of a failure to submit to doing things the way God would have us do them? If so, what can we do to change the yield of our harvest?
Genesis 8:22 (NASB)
“While the earth remains, Seedtime and harvest, And cold and heat, And summer and winter, And day and night Shall not cease.”
God provided sun for energy, the earth to plant the seed into, and the rain to nourish the seed; but in order to obtain a specific harvest, we need to plant and cultivate the necessary seeds. If I want a harvest of corn, then I will need to plant corn seeds and then cultivate it until it yields a harvest. This was a law instituted in Genesis 8:22 and according to scripture will endure while the earth remains. In direct parallel, I wonder if it is possible that this also applies to spiritual issues as well.
Galatians 6:7–8 (NASB)
Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.
Dallas Willard clearly articulates this perspective in his book, The Divine Conspiracy, when he states:
A saying among management experts—today your system is perfectly designed to yield the result you are getting. This is a profound and painful truth that must be respected by all who have an interest in Christian spiritual formation, whether for themselves as individuals or for groups or institutions . . . to counteract this we must develop a straightforward presentation, in word and life, of the reality of life now under God’s rule, through reliance upon the word and person of Jesus. In this way we can naturally become his students or apprentices. We can learn from him how to live our lives as He would live them if He were we. We can enter His eternal kind of life now. But this cannot come about unless what Jesus Himself believed, practiced, and taught makes sense to us. And his message must come to us free of the dead-ending legalism, political sloganeering, and dogmatic traditionalism long proven by history to be soul-crushing dead ends. Obviously it does not so come to us now, and this is a fact widely recognized.116