Foundation 3 - Unity
God's love unites all things.
Because God is love, there is to be unity, harmony, and order in His creation. (1Co 14:33,40)
Each part of God's wholistic/systemic/integrated/unified creation is interrelated/interdependent with the others. (1Co 12:18-25)
If one part suffers, the others suffer with it. (1Co 12:26a)
If one part benefits, the others benefit with it. (1Co 12:26b)
All parts are designed to work together in one integrated whole. (Eph 4:16 fitly joined together, Mt 9:12 health is whole, Mk 6:56 made whole, Jn 5:6 Will you be made whole?, Jn 5:14 made whole)
The creation was not declared "very good" until it was all in place. (good: Ge 1:4,10,12,18,21,25) (very good: Ge 1:31)
True health requires unity. (Mt 12:25)
God's everalsting covenant / salvation is "ordered in all things". (2Sa 23:5, Ro 8:19-23)
Consider the orchestrated, unified order of the human body:
We are composed of 30-40 trillion cells.
Our body contains over 200 different types of cells.
Cells make proteins from DNA informational codes.
Proteins are complex functional structures.
There are hundreds of thousands of functional protein forms.
Proteins are made with a destination shipping label.
Some proteins are internally transported to another location within the same cell (intracellular order).
Other proteins are exported and then externally transported to other body regions (intercellular order).
Protein synthesis and transport is highly ordered and dynamically adaptive based on current needs, environmental signals, stress conditions, and developmental stage.
Cells are systematically arranged in multiple interrelated and interdependent systems: cardiovascular (heart, blood vessels), digestive (gastro-intestinal tract, liver, pancreas), endocrine (hormone-producing glands), integumentary (skin, hair, nails), lymphatic/immune (lymph nodes, immune cells), muscular (skeletal, smooth, cardiac), nervous (central, peripheral, autonomic), reproductive (male and female reproductive organs), respiratory (lungs, airways), skeletal (bones, cartilage), and urinary (kidneys, bladder).
Systems are further divided into subsystems, which are still further divided into organs.
Consider the rich detection/proprioception experiences gained from our sensory organs: eyes, ears, nose, taste, and touch.
Consider the automatically regulated, 24 x 7, long-term endurance of our heart.
Consider our continual growth, recycling, and repair processes.
Consider our wakeful consciousness being daily eclipsed by nocturnal stages of revitalizing sleep.
Consider the cognitive power of our visual, linguistic, and logical thinking processes--combined with short- and long-term memory recall.
Consider the balance, effectiveness, and aesthetics of our lateral symmetry design.
Consider our noble moral/spiritual reality enabled by our conscience (Ro 2:14,15), metacognition (2Co 10:5), and transcendent spirit (Mt 26:41).
Consider the human eye. For it to be truly functional, it needs an eye socket, eye lids, lubricating water ducts, a brain to interpret and respond to visual perceptions, a circulatory system to nourish both it and its brain, a feeding and digestive system to obtain needed nutrients, a respiratory system to obtain air for energy; nutritious, plant-based foods from its environment; sunlight from an appropriately positioned sun, water, specific gravity to keep everything down to earth, and so on.
In each and all of these there is amazing order, unity, and super-intelligent design. (Ps 139:14)
Note the two occurrences of the word "disorder" in the following definition:
Disease - "The cause of pain or uneasiness; distemper; malady; sickness; disorder; any state of a living body in which the natural functions of the organs are interrupted or disturbed, either by defective or preternatural action, without a disrupture of parts by violence, which is called a wound. The first effect of disease is uneasiness or pain, and the ultimate effect is death. ... The word is also applied to the disorders of other animals, as well as to those of man; and to any derangement of the vegetative functions of plants." (Webster's Dictionary 1828)
Note: Preternatural - "Beyond what is natural, or different from what is natural; irregular." (Webster's Dictionary 1828)
Every disease has a cause. (Pr 26:2)
Every disease is caused by one or more violations of God's physical, mental, or spiritual laws, which are all lovingly designed to uphold true health.
The physical, mental, and spiritual are integrated.
True health goes beyond the physical. (Da 1:8-20, Ro 14:17, 1Ti 4:8)
In God Himself, the physical, mental, and spiritual are perfectly integrated.
God has a form with holy attributes. (Isa 6:1, Ge 32:30, 1Sa 8:21, 2Ch 16:9, Isa 52:10, Lk 24:39-43)
God has a voice with holy words. (Isa 6:8, Ps 138:2, Jn 1:1)
Jesus came in the flesh. (Col 2:8,9, 1Ti 3:16, Heb 10:4-7, 1Jn 4:2,3, 2Jn 1:7)
God has a "mind" with unchanging, holy thoughts. (Isa 55:8,9, Jer 29:11, 1Co 2:16 first part) (also Mal 3:6 first part)
God has a "heart" with unchanging, holy thoughts. (1Sa 2:35, Ps 33:11) (also Heb 13:8)
God is a Spirit. (Jn 4:24)
God is one. (Dt 6:4 and Mk 12:29, 1Jn 5:7 regarding the Word see Jn 1:1,14)
Jesus is one with the Father. (Jn 10:30, Jn 17:21)
Jesus speaks the Father's words. (Jn 8:28, Jn 12:49,50)
The Holy Spirit is one with the Father and the Son. (Mt 10:20, Ro 8:9, 1Pe 1:11)
The Holy Spirit speaks Jesus's words, which are the Father's words. (Jn 16:13-15)
Jesus grew in physical, mental, and spiritual health. (Lk 2:40,52)
Growing and stature are physical.
Wisdom is mental.
Favour with God, favour with man, spirit, and grace are spiritual.
We are created a composition of physical and spiritual, with the mind/conscience as the intermediary. (Ge 2:7) (compare: Job 27:3, Ps 104:29, Ps 146:4, Ecc 12:7, Jn 8:9, Ro 2:13-15, 1Co 6:20)
The physical, mental, and spiritual are integrated in us. (Dt 6:5 and Mk 12:30, Ps 84:2, Pr 23:7 first part, Isa 1:5,6, Isa 42:5, Lk 17:21, Eph 6:11,12, 1Th 5:23 see notes below)
Notes on 1Th 5:23:
"... sanctify you wholly ... whole spirit and soul and body ..."
spirit [Gr. πνεῦμα (pneuma)] - "... the rational spirit, the power by which the human being feels, thinks, decides" (Strong's Dictionary)
In this context, spirit refers to the rational/mental aspect of our being.
soul [Gr. ψυχή (psuche)] - "... the soul regarded as a moral being designed for everlasting life" (Strong's Dictionary)
In this context, soul refers to the spiritual aspect of our being.
Our beliefs, attitudes, and thoughts affect our whole being. (Pr 15:13, Pr 17:22, Pr 23:7 first part, Ecc 12:12, Isa 6:9,10, Jn 12:37-41, Ro 8:6, 2Co 3:18)
Our loving, spiritual practices strengthen our physical health. (Isa 58:6-11)
Our left hand works in harmony with our right hand, which both work in harmony with our mind and heart, to praise God. (La 3:41 and Ps 143:6, 1Ki 8:22,54, Ezr 9:5, Ne 8:6, Ps 28:2, Ps 63:4, Ps 119:48, Ps 134:2, Ps 141:2, Lk 24:50,51, 1Ti 2:8)
Systemic integration empowers a ripple effect.
Each small, change step yields multiple, interrelated results. (1Co 12:26)
True health includes unity with God.
Our sins separate us from God. (Isa 59:1,2)
Because of His great love, God gave His Son Jesus to die for us on the cross. (Jn 3:16)
Through Jesus, we can be reconciled with God. (2Co 5:18-21, Col 1:19-22)
We are to unite with Christ and partake of His divine nature. (2Pe 1:2-4, Jn 17:20-23, 1Co 6:17, Eph 3:19, Eph 4:13)
We receive a divine body. (Ge 1:26,27, 1Co 6:19, 1Co 3:16,17, Col 2:19) (compare 1Jn 4:1-3 and Heb 10:4-7)
We receive the divine mind. (1Co 2:16 last part, Php 2:5, Heb 8:10)
We receive the divine Spirit. (Jn 14:15-17, Ac 5:32)
We become children of God, and thus, members of His family. (Jn 1:12,13, Ro 8:14-17, Ro 8:29, Eph 2:19, Eph 3:14,15, 1Ti 3:15, Heb 2:9-13, Rev 3:12)
Our weakness is to be replaced with His strength. (1Co 1:24,25, 2Co 12:9,10)
Our ignorance is to be replaced with His wisdom. (1Co 1:30,31, Col 2:2,3)
Our unworthiness is to be replaced with His merit. (Php 3:8.9, Jer 23:6)
We are to walk with God. (Mic 6:8, Ge 5:25, Ge 6:9, 1Jn 2:6)
Walking with God involves a harmonious, agreement with God. (Am 3:3)
We are to elevate our fallen will to align with God's perfect will. (Ro 12:2, Dt 18:13, Jn 5:30)
Through self-awareness and Spirit connectedness, we are to continually manage what we think, say, and do. (Pr 25:28, Ro 8:1,14, 1Co 9:27, Tit 2:12, 2Jn 1:8 first part)
We are to consistently think Godly thoughts. (Php 4:8)
We are to consistently speak Godly words. (Ps 141:3, Pr 13:3, Jas 3:2,13, 1Pe 4:11)
We are to consistently do God's will. (Mk 3:35, Ps 40:8, Mt 6:10, Mt 7:21, Jn 4:34, Jn 8:28,29, 2Co 8:11,12, Php 2:13, Heb 10:9,10, Jas 1:22)
Baptism is a public proclamation of unity with God through faith in Jesus. (Mt 10:32,33, Mt 28:18-20, Mk 16:16, Eph 4:4-6)
True health includes unity of God's people.
True health includes unity of God's people. (1Pe 3:8-11, Jn 17:22 last part, Ac 2:46, Ac 5:12, Ro 12:16, Ro 15:5,6, 1Co 1:10 no divisions, Gal 3:27,28, Php 2:2, Col 3:11,15)
God's people are a united body. (Ro 12:4,5, 1Co 10:17, 1Co 12:13, Eph 4:3-6)
God's people are a united family. (Ps 133:1, Mt 18:20, Jn 11:49-52, 2Co 13:11)
God's people are a united holy nation. (Dt 28:1,9,10, Ne 8:1 as one man, Mt 21:43, 1Pe 2:9)
God's people are Spiritual Israel. (2Sa 7:23,24, Isa 45:3,4 (compare Mt 24:21,22, Ro 11:5-7, and Col 3:12), Mic 5:7-9, Ro 2:28,29, Ro 9:6-8, Gal 3:26-29, Gal 4:28, Gal 6:14-16, Eph 2:11-13,19-22, 1Pe 2:5)
Unity is the spirit of Heaven. (Rev 12:10 brethren, Rev 19:10 fellowservant, brethren, Rev 22:8,9 fellowservant, brethren)
True health includes unity with diversity.
True health includes unity with diversity. (Zec 2:11, 1Co 12:4-6, Rev 7:9,10)
Examples: Every snowfall appears as one vast white blanket, but each of its individual snowflakes is unique.
Examples: Every celestial object in God's infinite cosmos is unique.
Examples: God creates every person with a unique personality, within a unique family, within a unique physical and social environment, with unique opportunities, challenges, and gifts, and yet with all having equal access to Himself. (Ac 17:26,27)
True health seeks unity of all people.
God made all people of one ancient, physical family. (Ac 17:26 one blood, Ge 3:20, Eph 4:25 members one of another)
God does not treat people with prejudice or partiality. (Dt 10:17 last part, Mal 2:9,10, Ac 10:34, Ac 15:7-9, Ro 2:11, 1Ti 2:1-4, Tit 2:11)
God's outreach is inclusive, rather than exclusive. (Isa 56:7, Mt 28:19, Lk 24:45-47, Ro 3:22,23, Ro 3:29,30, Ro 10:12,13, 2Pe 3:9, Rev 14:6, Rev 22:17)
Jesus draws all people to Himself. (Jn 12:32,33, Ge 49:10 Shiloh gathers the people, Jer 31:3, Jn 10:16, Eph 2:13, Eph 4:13-15)
Shiloh [Heb. שִׁילֹה (Shiyloh)] - "he whose it is, that which belongs to him [the rightful King], tranquillity [peace]" (Strong's Dictionary) (compare Isa 9:6 and Rev 19:16)
Examples of Jesus' inclusive outreach:
children (Mt 19:13,14)
demon possessed (Mt 8:28-32)
fishermen (Mt 4:18-20)
foreigners (Jn 4:7-10)
lepers (Mt 8:1-3)
occupiers (Mt 8:5-13)
the poor (Mt 11:4,5)
religious leaders (Jn 3:1-8)
the rich (Mt 19:16-22)
tax collectors (Mt 9:9-11)
thieves (Lk 23:39 compare Mt 27:38)
We are not to elevate ourselves higher than others. (Mt 23:8, Pr 22:2, Mt 18:1-4)
We are to seek peace with all people. (Mt 5:43-45, Ro 12:18)
Only as we practice unity, harmony, and respect, can we truly join together as one spiritual family.
True health is unity of all things.
True health is unity of all things. (Mt 6:10, Eph 1:10, Ro 8:19-23, Ro 11:36, Col 1:20)
Physical health requires physical harmony.
Examples: balanced nutrition, balanced activity and rest
Mental health requires mental harmony.
Examples: peace, hope, joy
Examples: Bible study, recreation, socialization
Spiritual health requires spiritual harmony.
Examples: faith and trust in God, willing obedience to all of God's loving laws
Family health requires family harmony.
Examples: agreement, cooperation, respect, love
Church health requires church harmony.
Examples: true Biblical doctrines, order, service, unity
Examples: group Bible study, prayer, worship, outreach
Environmental health requires environmental harmony.
Examples: environmental protection and care taking
Each of these areas of health affects the others.
True health is unity of faith and works.
Faith and works are unified. (Ro 1:17, Ro 3:31, Eph 2:8,9, Jas 2:14-26, Rev 14:12)
Faith and works are unified as God's love and Jesus on the cross. (Jn 3:16, Heb 12:2)
Faith and works are unified as a great gift and great thanks. (Jn 14:15, Eph 2:10)
Faith and works are unified as a strong tree and its abundant fruit. (Jn 10:10 last part, Jn 15:4,6)
Faith and works are unified as seeds and the harvest. (Mt 9:38, Rev 14:14-16)
Examples: Faith in Jesus establishes the strong pillars of true health:
hope for the future (Ro 5:1,2)
love for all (Jn 13:34)
works of service (Mt 20:25-28)
rest for our soul (Mt 11:28)
healthy nutrition (1Co 10:31)
environmental care (Ps 8:4-9)
temperance (Gal 5:24)
True health is a separating unity in harmony with God's will.
Unity, in itself, can be evil. (Jos 9:1,2, Mt 7:13, Mt 23:15, Lk 6:26, Rev 12:7-9, Rev 13:3,4, Rev 16:13,14, Rev 17:13,14, Rev 20:7-9)
True health is a separating unity in harmony with God's will. (Ex 33:16,17, Lev 20:24, Dt 14:2, 2Sa 7:10, Eze 34:11-13, Mt 10:34-37, Mt 12:30, Lk 12:51-53, Jn 15:18,19, Jn 17:14-17, Ro 11:4,5 remnant, Ro 12:2 not conformed, 2Co 6:14-18, 1Pe 2:9 peculiar people, Rev 12:17 remnant)
True health includes a second Exodus from the harmful, evil practices and spiritual environments of Modern Egypt and Modern Babylon. (Isa 11:11,12,15,16, Rev 11:7,8 two witnesses are the Bible (Old and New Testaments), Rev 17:1-7,15,18, Rev 18:1-4)
Egypt denotes atheism and idolatry. (Ex 5:1,2, Eze 20:6-8)
Babylon denotes confusion and false worship. (Ge 11:7-9, Da 3:1-6)
The life is in unity. (Ps 133:1-3, Jn 17:20-26)