Six Degrees of Separation
“Oh, yes. We know the President of the United States of America.” You’ve heard of the “six degrees of separation” idea? Apparently we are connected to everybody in the whole world by no more than six levels of personal connections. Some say fewer than six. I don’t think we can prove it, but it is rather interesting. You know someone. They’ve met someone, who knows someone, and so on. The idea is, even though you might not know a person directly, you can trace a line of social connections no longer than six people along.
We watched Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s visit to the White House last night. Mr Morrison and Mr Trump were certainly full of praise for each other and their respective countries. Next morning, as April and I talked about it, we joked that we were now able to claim the President of the United States in our social network. You see, we met Mr Morrison at a function. We’re not sure if we actually talked to him, but we have talked a lot to our own local member, who has dealt closely with Mr Morrison.
And Mr Morrison had a State Dinner with Mr Trump!
That’s only, at most, three degrees of separation between us and the President! Which means, only four from so many famous celebrities, actors and millionaires. Does anybody want our autograph?
Infinite Degrees of Separation
When God created the first humans, he had a very close personal relationship with them. Sin spoiled that, and suddenly there was an infinite degree of separation.
God called specific people to act as go-betweens: Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, and all the prophets. Now, God’s people had just a single degree of separation, but it was a very real separation. You see, if circumstances were just right, I could find myself in a situation where I can be in the line where the President is shaking hands, and it’s perfectly reasonable that I might shake his hand and exchange a few words with him. Lots of people have done so. However, although the common Israelite might have been buddies with the high priest who went inside the tabernacle, or the prophet who actually heard God’s voice, they were never able to meet God!
There was an infinite degree of separation.
This was intolerable for the Creator, who made us for the sole purpose of enjoying fellowship with him!
Zero Degrees of Separation
Jesus told his disciples, “If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.” (John 14:23)
Christians have the Father, Son and Holy Spirit dwelling inside them! Now, that’s a pretty close relationship. It’s better than shaking hands. Better than a selfie.
As a matter of fact, it puts us within a couple of degrees of separation from any other Christian!
No wonder we are invited to approach the very throne of God with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. (Hebrews 4:16)
Better than that, we can approach the throne and call God “Daddy” (Galatians 4:6-7 – And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.” So you are no longer a slave, but God’s child; and since you are his child, God has made you also an heir.)
Go ahead. Feel free to "name drop" the Creator! Tell your friends you've met Jesus and have him as a permanent guest. As Paul said in 1 Corinthians 1:31 - "Let him who boasts, boast in the Lord."
Greg Simon BA; Dip Ed; Cert Teach
Greg has taught and tutored secondary Maths, Science and ICT for over thirty years, and has been a school principal before dedicating his life to working with home-educating families. He was actively involved with the homeschooling of his four children.