Lessons of Interconnectedness

6/22/2025

Galatians 3:28:

“There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male and female; for all of you are one in Christ Jesus.”

We have been looking at some of the hardest lessons to learn as spiritual beings indwelling these earthly bodies. The topic I want to address this week is one that I spent some time on last week, but it deserves its own focus and that is the virtue of interconnectedness.  Its opposite is a tribal mindset, “us versus them.”

Last week I taught that tribalism is built into our DNA; it is part of our animal/human nature. But we are not animals, we are spiritual beings living out a human existence. So, although we are in this world, we are not of this world. While in a body, it is easy to believe that we are a solitary individual, on our own island, navigating our challenges in isolation. But that is not what the Bible teaches.

Let us be reminded that a profound truth challenges this notion: the Bible reveals a universe designed for interconnectedness. Our world is a divine tapestry where every thread, every person, every part of creation, is intricately linked, reflecting the very nature of our relational God. This is not just a philosophical idea; it is a spiritual reality, fundamental to understanding who God is, who we are, and how we are called to live.

First and foremost, our connection begins with God Himself. While we are called to interdependence with one another, our ultimate reliance is on the divine source. Jesus powerfully illustrates this in John 15:4-5: “Remain in Me, and I will remain in you. Just as no branch can bear fruit by itself unless it remains in the vine, neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in Me. I am the vine and you are the branches.”  

This passage reminds us that spiritual life and fruitfulness flow directly from our connection to Spirit. Our very existence, our capacity for love, joy, and peace, is rooted in God. It is a profound truth: our spiritual growth is not an abstract, intangible pursuit. It is intimately connected with how we live in our bodies and interact with the world, because God’s communication occurs within the hearts and minds of our everyday lives. Our Divine One is both beyond limitations, time, space, and our capacity to fully comprehend Him, yet intimately involved in our lives and the workings of the universe. Our body is not a barrier but is a vehicle for divine expression and communion with His creation.

From our connection with God, we extend our union to one another. The Apostle Paul gives us a vivid picture of this interconnectedness through the metaphor of the “Body of Christ.” In 1 Corinthians 12:12, Paul writes, “Just as the body is one and has many parts, so it is with Christ.” He goes on to say, “The eye cannot say to the hand, ‘I do not need you.’ Nor can the head say to the feet, ‘I do not need you.’” In Romans 12:4-5, he adds, “For just as each of us has one body with many members, and not all members have the same function, so in Christ we who are many are one body, and each member belongs to one another.”  

What this means is that every single one of us, with our unique gifts, talents, personalities, interests, and callings, is an indispensable part of one spiritual body. Our individual significance is amplified by what we share, and what we are open to receiving. This counters the world’s insistence on individualism, asserting that our true identity and purpose are found in communal belonging and mutual service.  

This unity is no accident; it is something we are called to diligently preserve. How? Through Love. Colossians 3:14 tells us, “And over all these virtues put on love, which is the bond of perfect unity.” This love is active, expressed through mutual support and concern. 1 Corinthians 12:26 says, “If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.”

God is the source of our connection with others, 1 John 4:16 tells us: “… we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them.”  The phrase “God is love” refers to more than just God’s character or disposition; it describes his very essence. At the core of his being, God is others-oriented and self-giving. For all of eternity, He has existed in a community of perfect love as Father, Son, and Spirit. He does not just have love; He is love, and we are commanded to share that love and be that love for each other.

As part of this command, we are called to bear each other's burdens, as Galatians 6:2 commands: “Carry one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” This is not just sympathy; it is practical action, such as showing collective empathy, as described in Romans 12:15, “Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.”

Our interconnectedness extends beyond humanity to the very earth we inhabit. From the beginning, in Genesis 1:28, God gave humanity the mandate to “subdue” and “rule over” creation, implying a responsibility for careful stewardship, not exploitation.  The Bible reveals a direct correlation between human ethical and spiritual behavior and the well-being of the land. Jeremiah 23:10-15, describes how our “unethical behavior” and “moral impurity” leads to the land “mourning,” suffering drought, and infertility. This shows a reciprocal connectivity: our choices have tangible ecological consequences. When we disregard God’s covenant and holiness, it impacts the very ground beneath our feet.

Therefore, ecological crises are not just scientific or economic problems; they can be interpreted as symptoms of a spiritual disconnect. Faithful stewardship becomes an act of obedience and worship to God, honoring the Creator by caring for His creation, which is intrinsically linked to His holiness and our survival.  

Then there is a connection between the individual and society. Scripture emphasizes that everyone is accountable for their actions before God. Ezekiel 18:20 declares, “The soul who sins is the one who will die.” Yet, the Bible also shows that our individual actions have a ripple effect on the community. Achan’s sin in Joshua 7, where he took forbidden items that were meant to be devotions to God, led to Israel's defeat, demonstrating how one person’s action could impact the entire community.

Our choices and actions affect everyone and everything. It all matters; everything weighs something. This dynamic tension means that while we are personally accountable, our choices have consequences that ripple outwards, affecting the collective. Yes, we are called to bear one another’s burdens, and sometimes this means standing in solidarity with others, even for transgressions we did not personally commit.

There are ways to develop more of a sense of interconnectedness with the other 8.2 billion members of our spiritual family. First, we can recognize that our relationship with God is inseparable from our relationships with others and the world. We do this by regularly contemplating God’s presence in the beauty of the universe and in every person we meet. This fosters gratitude and a sense of unity with all beings.

Second, we can engage in spiritual disciplines such as prayer, meditation, worship, and reflective reading of Scripture, allowing Christ to raise our awareness of the unity in all. Third, as a child of God, we are called to be a channel of divine love for all creatures. This means actively caring for others, advocating for justice, working for the common good, treating every relationship as sacred, practicing kindness, curiosity, and acceptance, and knowing that to love another is to love God and oneself.

Let us continue what we are doing today, joining with others in worship, service, and projects that advance healing, restoration, and justice. The church is called to be an instrument of God’s interconnected love, uniting people in common purpose and responsibility for the world. Being part of such a community strengthens our sense of belonging and shared mission.

We can raise our awareness and regularly examine our life for ways that we may have neglected our interlocked responsibilities. We can seek forgiveness and commit to new forms of faithful living that honor our ties to God, others, and creation. These can be simple things like recycling, picking up trash someone else left, or celebrating nature as part of our worship experience.

Lastly, we can remember that separateness is an illusion. There is no “us versus them.” There is only “us.” All beings are part of God’s creation and, therefore, our spiritual family. When we care for others, we care for ourselves and honor God’s design for unity.

It is my prayer that we realize that we are created to connect, to build relationships, to see the vastness of God’s children as one family. I pray that our life becomes a channel of God’s love, justice, and unity, embodying the interconnectedness that is at the heart of Christ’s teachings.