The Invisible Third Strand? Some Musings

We are the physical manifestation of our DNA – the double helix that defines our unique physical and biological characteristics and which carries genetic information from one generation to the other. This is why we as parents (both of us being brunettes) produced two brunette children.

Richard and I have a theory that some sort of spiritual DNA exists as well. Here’s our reasoning: scientists know that there are certain genetic markers on each DNA molecule that denote predispositions to a host of inherited conditions, Parkinson’s disease, for example. They also know that if people depart from a diet their ancestors consumed without deviation for eons, that they develop diseases unheard of in previous generations. On the same note, those whose ancestors were alcoholics have a genetic marker or predisposition to develop alcoholism themselves. In both these examples, diet and alcohol abuse seem to have somehow insinuated themselves as genetic markers on the actual DNA makeup over time. This is very intriguing!

Now here’s a wild thought: what if in the cataclysmic tsunami called the Fall of Man (and all have sinned fallen short of the glory of God) an invisible third strand intertwined itself to that DNA? For this strand to become attached to our biological DNA could not have happened in a vacuum. A choice had to be made available to Adam and Eve to accept or deny such an inclusion. Could it be that the choosing had to do with which fruit appeared most attractive to them - the fruit adorning the Tree of Life or the fruit adorning the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil?

When the scriptures state we were born in sin and shaped in iniquity, it means our introduction to a fallen world began in the womb. This is articulated with succinct clarification in the following verse: “By nature we were children of wrath, sons of disobedience.” Apart from Christ the Word becoming flesh, not one person ever escaped this internal prison of religious bondage. When Adam and Eve ingested the forbidden fruit, it permanently altered, in a metaphysical sense, their genetic makeup. This is what we are referring to as “the invisible third strand”.

Jesus was quick to point out that those who unwittingly agreed with Satan’s thoughts and suggestions (Peter, the believing Jews, Pharisees, etc.) were under the influence of Satan. He wasn’t trying to be insulting; He was just stating a fact! After all, sin had resided within them since their conception. They had become so familiar with the voice of their father the devil that they mistook it for their own voice. As spirit speaks to spirit, so does flesh speak to flesh. The Light was exposing the invisible third strand on their DNA – not to condemn them but to save them! The point is that Jesus came to bring sight to those who were blind, but to those who claimed they could see their judgment would be that they would remain in their blindness.

Consider John 8. What in my opinion appeared to be a showdown was in actuality Jesus trying to open the eyes of those who were totally blinded so that they could see that they had been born slaves to sin. That’s why it’s so essential that we allow our minds to be transformed and to have Christ formed in us. If we don’t, we will continually be susceptible (in our souls) to the leading of the father of lies and may not learn to recognize the voice of our Heavenly Father when he speaks.

It is essential to remember that the arena in which we are attacked is located within our soul. Our spirit (if we have been born again) is permanently indwelt by Jesus’ spirit and will spend eternity in heaven. However, because we have been given free will, we have a choice in how much or how little we allow Christ to be formed in us in our soul - our mind, will and emotions.

We welcome your thoughts!

Rich/Margo
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How Does a No Turn Into a Yes

Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you'll recover your life. I'll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly."


Jesus said, "You're not listening. Let me say it again. Unless a person submits to this original creation—the 'wind-hovering-over-the-water' creation, the invisible moving the visible, a baptism into a new life—it's not possible to enter God's kingdom. When you look at a baby, it's just that: a body you can look at and touch. But the person who takes shape within is formed by something you can't see and touch—the Spirit—and becomes a living spirit.

There’s a story Jesus told of a father having two sons, and went to each of them asking of them to work in his vineyard, the first said, I will not, but later did, the other said yes, but changed his mind and didn’t.
Which of the two Jesus asked, did the will of the father?

Pondering on this story, I think it might be possible to come to a conclusion based upon a religious math that has no power to change ones heart.
In this story it appears that perhaps this all unfolded within a day, maybe so, but then again, let’s put that aside for now.
How often does it have to be repeated, the miracle of grace, the blowing of the wind-His breath, moving invisibly touching us in ways imperceptible to our senses, and yet there He is doing the impossible.
Putting myself in this story which really is not that hard to imagine, I am heading in one direction, adamantly fixed in doing my own thing, wanting to have nothing to do with God, and BAMM, out of nowhere, I somehow find myself going in a direction, in a way, that seems to be not of my choosing.
What’s that all about?

The bible talks about the mystery of godliness, and in a nut shell, I think this touches upon this story. When, where, how long was it before the son sensed a change in course, something totally unknown and yet powerful, like a small rudder turning a huge ship effortlessly in a new direction?
The sheer beauty of this staggers the imagination, yet man always wants to boil down what only God can do, into a formula, or steps, to follow.
Like time-lapse photography, God sees the beginning from the end. What seems to us to be a tortuously long process is but an instant in his eyes, and it’s all beautiful (see link below). Unfortunately, there is no way to escape that tortuous process.

Rich