Spooky action
In physics, Einstein called quantum entanglement “spooky action at a distance.” This is because its action is counter intuitive. If you observe a particle (electrons, protons, photons, etc.) in one place, another particle—even one that is light-years away—will instantly change its properties, as if a mysterious communication channel connects the two. To most of us, this makes no sense.
Jesus, created all things (Colossians 1:16), including quantum entanglement. He applied this non-intuitive design in His spiritual laws, too. We can read one example of this in Mark 9:35: And he sat down and called the twelve. And he said to them, “If anyone would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all.“
Quantum of Scripture
The book of Philippians provides us with a tremendous example of the “Quantum of Scripture.” When Paul was in prison, He wrote to the church at Phillipi, located in eastern Macedonia, north of Greece. By the way, Phillipi had a school of medicine, which was Luke’s alma mater. Anyway, Paul wrote to the church, “I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel.“ (Philippians 1:12) In our hindsight, we can see how God used Paul’s imprisonment. But for Paul to see and say this is profound.
Paul goes on to write, “And most of the brothers, having become confident in the Lord by my imprisonment, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.” (Philippians 1:14) So Paul being in prison emboldened Christians that were free. Would we have this same reaction? If our neighbor Susan is put in prison for her faith in Jesus, will we more boldly declare the Good News of Christ Jesus?
Spooky truth
Then Paul states a “spooky” spiritual truth. “I am put here for the defense of the gospel” (Philippians 1:16). This apostle, a man that, arguably, was the most missions-minded apostle. A man who traveled non-stop to preach in places where Christ had never been preached. This man built for freedom and travel is now in the prison of the strongest empire on earth, and he says he is in prison for the defense of the gospel. Doesn’t that seem counter intuitive?
Finally, let’s glimpse Paul’s heart. He wrote, “Some indeed preach Christ from envy and rivalry…proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely but thinking to afflict me in my imprisonment. What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed, and in that I rejoice.“ (Philippians 1:17-18)
Do we have the mindset that whether or not the preacher is preaching as a pretense or speaking sincerely, if he proclaims Jesus, we will rejoice? There is a lot of pastor-bashing right now. More than I’ve seen in quite a while. I know, to my shame, I’ve been in a few after-church lunches where we ate “roast pastor.” We must not do that. “Touch not my anointed ones, do my prophets no harm!” (Psalm 105:15)
Be cautious when making spiritual assumptions
I hope that we know the heart of Jesus is not one that can be discerned by what seems reasonable. No, Christ’s heart can only be discerned through the Holy Spirit’s revelation of Scripture in us. When we start making assumptions, we are heading down the road of heresy.
Photo by Andrew George on Unsplash
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