Questions of Indentity: Solved by IPP?

Yo guys,

I don't think I almost ever tell you guys about my classes. haha. Why would you want to know about complex biochemistry things?

Today in my Applied and Environmental Microbiology class our professor was giving us an example of what our seminars later in the semester would look like. He was giving some background information on Protein-Protein Interaction (PPI) and methods to determine them and what that means. Proteins are chains of amino acids which often perform a function in a complex of proteins (such as polymerase complexes (for making DNA or RNA) which have numerous subunits (individual proteins)). This is an example of multiple proteins interacting and together performing a function. Part of the reason we look at these PPIs is to better understand the protein itself and its functions.

He gave an example which, for me, took this class about proteins and turned it into a Philosophical question about the meaning of self and personality.

He said: there is a new face in your class. You've never communicated with them, however, you've observed them talking to a lot of 3rd year biology students, to a biology TA, to some biology professors, and to biology admin people. Based on these interactions with other people, although you've never talked to them, you can assume that they are a 3rd year biology student.

In another situation, for example, a soccer field, interacting with coaches, referees, other players, and fans, that person is now functioning as a soccer player. And again, at their house, interacting with wife, and children, he is functioning as a father.

Just like people who change functions based on their environments and factors, so proteins can have multiple functions given their interactions with other proteins.

Forget proteins. You just said people act differently given environment and other people. 1 person, many functions. For a second this made me think of dissociative identity disorder (where multiple personalities (or 'alters') actually reside in a single body although highly different in character). But I think it is something more simple.

People are complex.

You act differently with different people and do function differently in different situations. It doesn't however, change who you are at the core. In highschool I often acted more reserved with my academic friends, while much more outgoing and ridiculous with friends from drama. Simply the depth of personality and the many different facets of who you are come out depending on the situation.

I once also read a quote by C.S. Lewis on the loss of a friend (I think it was in 'The Four Loves' in the section on friendship, talking about how friendship isn't jealous, having more friends is better). Not only had his friend passed away, but the way that friend brought out different parts of his other friends was also now gone. Clearly showing how people affect how we act.

Additionally, the idea of Paul becoming all things to all people so that by all means he might save some. I don't think this is to be fake, but to honestly bring out those different parts of who you are or could be for the sake of the good news going to all peoples. (1 Cor9:19-23)

This morning I read Genesis 12 and in the first couple verses God speaks to Abram and makes his promise that through him and as he is blessed all nations will be blessed. I see this also in Eph1:3 where it says that i Christ we are blessed with every spiritual blessing.

As we have been blessed, let us be all things to all people, that the blessing of God may fall on those around us (instead of the wrath originally designated to each of us as we were separate from Christ's redemption)!




Overall, I guess, this is to say, people are complex. haha. We have numerous gifts and talents. As we find and place our identity in Christ (as it rightly belongs since were were made in His image) let us use them in numerous situations to make friends and share Christ, for God's glory and the salvation of the nations.

D.Fa

Seeking the Lost

Luke 15. Jesus talks of three parables, three hypothetical stories, which show a shepherd, a lady, and a father losing and, in the end, finding what was lost: a single sheep out of 100; a silver coin; and a rebellious son.

These parables were in response to the Pharisees and others grumbling at how Jesus spent so much time with sinners. At the end of the first he explains how there would be more rejoicing by the angels in heaven over a single sinner who repents. At the end of the second, again, he says that there would be much joy at a sinner who repents. He doesn't say anything at the end of the third story, and this may be because the second son of the father was still lost and he was making a point, but I digress, I will not delve into this today. Feel free to read it for yourselves: http://www.esvbible.org/Luke+15/

The point though, to answer their question, is that Jesus spends time with sinners because he is trying to save them. Other passages he says this directly. In another conversation with the Pharisees in Luke 5:31-32 (also Mark 2:17; Matthew 9:12-13) he says "It is not those who are well who need a physician, but those who are sick. I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance." Similarly in John 3:17 (after that famous verse) he says "For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him."

In Luke 19:10 (also Matthew 18:11) speaking of himself he says, "For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost."

I've heard this a number of times: Jesus came to seek and save the lost. As Isaiah 53 said, we have all gone astray and he came, was punished on our behalf, and by his wounds we may be healed and restored.

But what blew my mind the other day as I was reading the Bible is that this doesn't apply simply to Jesus, but also God the Father.

I was reading Genesis and found the first time God was seeking the lost: Genesis 3:9 "But the Lord God called to the man, “Where are you?”" After Adam and Eve had eaten the fruit and went to hide God sought them out.

This only further shows me the truth that is recorded in John 10:30 "I and the Father are one". Hebrews 1:3a "The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his being". Col 1:15a "He is the image of the invisible God".

God has always been about the business of seeking and saving the lost since the very first disobedience, and from then he also promised the redemption through Christ in Genesis 3:15.

May He continue to seek and save the lost, opening eyes that we may all see His glory more, and making us new; restoring us in the image of God which He had made us in.

D.Fa

New Year

It's funny what the prospect of a new year does to our motivation and our mentality. Everyone starts to think about what they will change in the new year and eagerly await January 1st when they can begin these resolutions.

While New Years is days off, no one will start anything new because they are waiting for that special day.

While New Years is days past, no one will start anything new because they now feel defeated an unmotivated since they missed their big day.

What is this New Years thing? You can start something new any day of the week. Why does i have to be New Years? I think it is because it is mentally easier to make the distinction between what was past and what is future at Day 1 of a new year.

Let us make today, and everyday a new day!

If there is something you need to leave behind, do it! If there is something you need to start, do it! We'll make mistakes as we try new things, but you have to start somewhere or you never will do anything about it.

This year I have yet to solidify exactly what my resolutions are, partially because I have so many things I want to do. But then yesterday I was on a train for 5 hours as well as having only half an hour of sleep the night before, the day was essentially a waste of time. So I kinda felt unmotivated today, but God is good. Let's look forward and count today as the new day and everyday after as well.

Previous failures: forgiven in Jesus; long past and paid for.
Future triumphs: waiting for me in the Spirit as I am more than a conqueror in Christ.
Newness: in Christ we are made into new creations; the old is gone the new is come; now.
Eternal Life: knowing God and Jesus Christ whom He has sent; daily.

I hope to blog more this year since it does help me remember all that God has done and look forward to all He has promised to do. I also intend to not be on the computer after 10pm, so, this'll be the last time until 2016, hopefully. xP

Ttyl.

D.Fa