The word “reality” is an interesting one. Look it up in the dictionary and the definition that will be given will be something like “the world or state of things as they actually exist, as opposed to an idealistic or notional idea of them.” Philosophers have struggled with this definition for centuries, with some going so far as to suggest that none of what we see, feel, smell and hear exists; but is only a construct of the human imagination.
Yet we do see, feel, smell and hear all that is around us, making the reality that we experience seem rather real. Except for a small following, those philosophers haven’t managed to convince that many people; and if we looked into it, we might find that those they did convince were on drugs.
On the other hand, we have the modern-day philosophers who report what is supposed to be news. Very little of what they report fits that definition of reality, as they are actually giving us their opinion as to what that means, rather than what actually happened. That often disagrees with reality and yet defines how most people view the world around them; especially how they view it politically.
Regardless of how many people try to change our understanding of reality, most of us stick with understanding it by the input we receive from our senses. In other words, what we can see, feel, smell, hear and taste. But is that the only reality that exists? How do we define things that we can’t recognize with our senses? How do we define things like air as being real, when we can’t see, hear, taste or smell it, even though we do feel the force of it blowing on us as wind?
Then there’s the spiritual realm. Some would try to say that the spirit realm doesn’t exist because they can’t see or feel it. Yet throughout human history, people have accepted the idea of a spirit realm, regardless of how they personally defied it.
If that spirit realm is real and if it is more powerful than the natural realm we live and work in, then isn’t it more real than the natural realm? Isn’t the problem that we can’t perceive that realm, rather than that it doesn’t exist? Could we be missing the greater reality in our own lives?
But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; for can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. – 1 Corinthians 2:14
Those who do not accept the authority of scripture or of God Himself, have trouble with the idea of a spiritual reality. To them, reality is how they define it; rather than how the Word of God does.
Yet, that’s the basic viewpoint that the Bible takes in defining reality. We live in two realms at the same time, with our bodies living in this physical realm, while our spirits live in a spirit realm. When we die, it is only our bodies that die, allowing our spirits to continue living on in the spirit realm, unencumbered by the connection to our bodies.
But the Bible actually goes much further than that, as the spirit realm I’m referring to is the dwelling place of God. The physical reality that we know came from that spiritual reality, when God spoke the universe, as we know it, into existence.
Going Back to the Beginning
If we go back to the creation story, as passed down to us in the first chapter of Genesis, we see that God spoke the universe and all that is in it into existence. This means that true reality is what God says. Eight times, verses in this chapter start out with the words “Then God said,” followed by the next thing that God wanted to create. Each of those times, the verse or passage which speaks of creating something ends with some variant of “and it was so,” indicating that what God said, came into existence.
The interesting thing about this is that there are times where the chapter contains phrases telling us that God created such and such a thing. But in all those cases, that comes after some phrase indicating that the thing had already been created. In other words, those statements about “God created” aren’t the point in time where God is doing the creating, but rather explaining what He had already done.
It seems rather clear from this passage of scripture that the creative process of making physical reality was through God speaking those things into existence. The only exception to that was when He formed Adam’s body from the dust of the ground (Genesis 2:7) and when he formed Eve’s body (Genesis 2:22). God gave special attention to the creation of mankind, that He did not give to the rest of His creation.
But there’s another aspect to God speaking things into existence. Our world and the universe that it occupies, is governed by a complex set of natural laws. Those laws must have either been created by God before the events recorded in Genesis, chapter 1, or as part of that process. In either case, those laws weren’t a one-time thing; but rather something that continues. He doesn’t need to speak them over and over again, as He spoke them once and for all.
What would happen, if God were to speak again in such a manner? It appears, based upon the narrative given, that God’s word would continue to have creative power. There are other places in Scripture where God spoke and something came into existence. Put another way, when God speaks, His words have creative power and the universe hurries to adapt itself to His will.
God Himself is the Ultimate Reality
From the very beginning, it has been God who has defined the physical reality we live in. He not only created it, but He manages it on an ongoing basis. While this happens in such a way that we do not see it, it happens nonetheless.
That you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. – Matthew 5:45
God’s existence and His ongoing ability to control His creation doesn’t depend on our believing in Him. He is fully capable of operating without our faith in Him, just as He is capable of operating without our intervention. It is the opposite that is true; our ability to navigate through this life is dependent on Him. While there are those who navigate life without ever acknowledging His existence; His help comes to those who not only acknowledge Him, but submit to His authority, accepting His Son as our Savior. In doing this, we come under the umbrella of God’s divine protection, where He is able to help us through the struggles of this reality that we know.
Many of us struggle with this, attempting to live by faith in Him, while our natural bodies, senses and reasoning report something quite different to us. We live in a constant battle between the flesh and the spirit, something that the Apostle Paul wrote about in his letter to the Galatians.
For the flesh lust against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. – Galatians 5:17
God’s existence and the reality that He creates is not dependent upon us. Rather, we are dependent upon Him. The war within us, between our Spirits and our flesh, requires His intervention. That can only happen as we submit to Him, giving Him permission to work in our lives. As John records in his Gospel:
For God did not send His son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. – John 3:17
That salvation is a spiritual thing; not a natural one. We aren’t saved from this world that we live in; but rather are saved from ourselves and our own sinful nature. In this process, we assert that the spiritual reality of God’s authority in our lives is ultimately greater than the reality of the world that we live in.
Others may not see it this way and may choose to remain subject to the natural, physical reality of this world. That is their right; one that God Himself gave them. But in doing so, they also accept the consequences of being subject to this reality, rather than that of God. They apparently think that is better; but those who truly know the Word of God have discovered that being subject to the reality of God and His authority as our creator, is a much better reality to live in.