Ant Communication and Romans 6.

Biologist Edward Wilson, who joined Harvard in 1956, made groundbreaking discoveries about ant communication. He found that ants primarily use chemical pheromones for communication. In an experiment, he observed that ants took days to recognize a dead nestmate, attributing it to the scent of decomposition rather than visual cues. Other ants would transport the deceased ant to an “ant cemetery.” Wilson isolated this chemical cue.

Wilson’s research delved into the intricate chemical cues that ants employ to identify and handle dead nestmates, shedding light on their complex behaviors and communication methods. Ants rely on their developed sense of smell and pheromones for various social interactions, such as identifying nestmates, marking trails, and recognizing deceased colony members. When an ant dies, its body emits distinct chemical signals during decomposition, alerting other ants to potential threats or infections in the colony.

To explore this further, Wilson conducted experiments to isolate and identify the specific chemicals involved in this recognition process. This research enhances our understanding of how ants and other social insects maintain colony hygiene and organization through chemical communication. Wilson applied the isolated chemical to bits of paper, which other ants would then transport to the ant cemetery.

He also applied the chemical to live ants, leading their nestmates to mistakenly transport them to the ant cemetery, treating them as “living dead.” If the chemical wasn’t removed before their return, they were promptly taken back to the cemetery. Only after being deemed “certifiably alive” were they allowed back into the nest.

Paul dealt with this in a spiritual sense in Romans 6 where he argued that before Christ came into our lives we were the living dead and that grace does not leave us free to sin. We are in fact “dead to sin” he states. This chapter contains one of his famous “God forbid” statements, where he argues against the argument that I can do this because God will forgive me. It is grace that makes me “certifiably alive.” We are dead to sin, but it stubbornly wriggles back to life. In Romans 6 he declares that we are not in bondage to sin and death, but we are in bondage to Christ.

Have you noticed how the pursuit of freedom, in the worldly sense, often turns into bondage. For instance, if we feel free to lose our temper when we feel angry, we will soon find ourselves a slave to rage. Those things that young people feel are freedom choices like alcohol, drugs, pornography, and sex, become relentless masters – ask any addicts that began with these freedoms.

I watch students at school doing their year 12 exams asking the questions about the study and work, all to achieve an Atar that will take them places in the University sense. What would happen if before they were to start all the study, they were promised a pass mark. This is the dilemma of Grace that Paul confronts in Romans.

Let me illustrate it for you. Imagine this conversation between a groom and his bride on their wedding night. “Honey, I love you so much that I am eager to spend my life with you, but we need to work out a few of the details. After we are married how far can I go with other women? Can I sleep with them? Kiss them? You don’t mind a few affairs with them now and then do you? I know it might hurt you but just think of all the opportunities you will have to forgive me after I betray you!”

The only possible answer to such a person is a firm slap on the face, and in the words of Paul, “God forbid!” Obviously, this person does not understand love.

If I approach God with a “What can I get away with?” attitude, then it proves that I have not grasped what God has in mind for me. What God wants is not good performance, but my heart. We do “works” for our partners, not to earn credits but to show and express our love.

 God wants us to serve in the new way of the Spirit, not from compulsion but desire. Discipleship is a life that springs from grace. The primary motivation for being good is gratitude. If we comprehend what Christ has done for us, then surely out of gratitude we will strive to live a life ‘worthy’ of such great love.

Likewise, to strive for holiness is not to make God love us, because He already does.  The person who truly loves God is inclined to please Him, that is why Paul and Jesus both summed up the entire law with the simple command “Love God.”

In the Christian life, Grace is everything. Grace is the most important Christian concept you can come to grips with. The sooner you realize you are not saved by performance, then the sooner you are free to respond to God from love. Faith is the hand that accepts the gift, it is not our creation, but is God’s creation in us as we behold His Son. The more I gaze, the more I am amazed. Our salvation is not faith plus works but a faith that works. We are saved by faith alone, but the faith that saves is never alone!

Grace and peace to you who are His beloved.