Convinced of the Spiritual Realm

The view out of my office window of the gentle snowfall was a thing of beauty.  Enhanced by the backdrop of a dark cedar tree windbreak, the first substantial wintery precipitation of the season served as another reminder of God’s creative testimony.  While I enjoyed the presence of this peaceful moment, the color contrast served as a metaphor for my conflicted heart.  I struggled with an examination of my inner thoughts – the attitudes, desires, and passions – searching for the true recipient of my devotion.  Was I so enamored with a life of comfort and convenience in my Christianity that the reality of the eternal spiritual realm could be deemed superfluous?  The spiritual battle sounds necessitated a search for an assurance of freedom from worldly attractions which called so strongly for my allegiance.  

Do I believe in the Christ? Have I prayed a prayer of Salvation?

How was I to know the true devotion of my heart – given to the course of this world (Eph 2:2) or to the King of a kingdom not of this world (John 18:36)?  Clinging so tightly to the allurement of the world as the ultimate source of satisfaction for my soul’s deepest longing, I wondered if any claim of pursuing a life of faith placed in the One named Christ was merely a façade. Some would ask about my spiritual profession.  Do I believe in the Christ; have I prayed a prayer of salvation?  I have indeed prayed such a prayer, made a confession, and confirmed it with baptism.  “But do I have possession consistent with such profession?” might well be an anticipated follow-up. 

Another inquirer may ask for an examination of my life’s conduct – the fruit of my labors toward others.  Certainly, I have served, tithed, and come alongside the less fortunate.  But then I reflected on those who came before the Lord referencing their works of demon expulsion and other miracles in the name of Christ only to be declared lawless doers and unknown (Matthew 7:21-23).  

Knowing about God versus knowing God.

Further questions could emerge about my time reading and studying the Bible in pursuit of a deeper knowledge about God.  While an important metric, I was forced to consider the dilemma of an intellectual ascent while not knowing the very God who was consumed in my spiritual knowledge. 

Finally, another less patient brother might declare “Grace”, accusing my introspection as misguided legalism or works based salvation.  Ephesian 2:8-9 relieved concern for such an illegitimate motive of the heart as by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone, I fully embraced.

the Relationship

But then I envisioned one who was like a friend placing a hand on my shoulder asking about my relationship with God.  I paused.  Such a gentle question, yet so profound and penetrating – it demanded vulnerability.  What kind of relationship could I have with God?  Wrestling with this question, I reflected on conclusions drawn from A.W. Tozer’s book “The Pursuit of God”.  Tozer put forward that many Christians have no personal relationship with God because they have a lack of faith regarding the reality of God. 

“For millions of Christians, nevertheless, God is no more real than He is to the non-Christian. They go through life trying to love an ideal and be loyal to a mere principle.”

The Pursuit of God – A. W. Tozer

Thus, they fall back to the mode of doing things because it is the right thing to do as they ascribe to the ideals and principles put forward by God’s word.   Struck by Tozer’s insight, I considered the possibility that my faith was based on my own efforts to worship the ideals of scripture.  The result would be a life void of any kind of intimate relationship with Christ.  We read the Bible because it is the right thing to do; we go to church because it is the right thing to do, we obey God’s laws because it is the right thing to do and so it goes.  But sadly, there is an emptiness that results because we cannot have a personal relationship with an ideal.  We fail to believe that God is alive.  Thus, our worship is relegated to the teachings rather than to the Teacher.

Reality

But what of this definition of reality?  Based on the input of our five senses, the world in which we live is by definition real.  There is a plethora of supporting evidence to draw such a conclusion.  By applying this same methodology to assess the reality of the spiritual realm, an erroneous conclusion emerges. Denied a confirmative response from our fine-tuned senses, the reality of a spiritual realm is met with much skepticism.  But does it not seem arrogant to conclude that such definitions of reality should be made by such finite creatures?  Can the created define the limits of existence concerning the Creator?  Is it not possible that the God who created all things has existence beyond the reach of our understanding?  I believe there are dimensions of existence that are not perceptible by the limits God placed on our design.  Unlike Jesus, I can’t walk on water, pass through the walls of the upper room, suddenly be transfigured into a state of pure brilliance, nor ascend into the heavens unaided.  There is a reason the Apostle Paul speaks of spiritual discernment to the Corinthians.  Thus, the need for the drawing of God (John 6:44), the gift of faith, the call of God that our eyes might be miraculously opened to the reality of the spiritual realm – that we might believe.  The relationship with God is born even as we are born again.   As the man said to Jesus, “I believe, help my unbelief.”  We must cry out in response to God’s drawing power – the Holy Spirit creating a divine faith that allows devotion of the heart to be poured out in humble worship of the only true God.

Some may ask how to have such a relationship with one I cannot see? Looking around the world, I see many who in the name of Christ willingly suffer and sacrifice for One they have never seen.  By faith, these servants do not need to see because they know the power of the One they serve. Dismissing the limits of their own finite abilities, they are fully convinced that God can touch their hearts apart from any physical presence. 

“Blessed are you who do not see and yet believe”, Jesus said to Thomas
John 20:29

“And though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory.”

1 Peter 1:8

By faith, my eyes are open to see that which is unseen and yet quite real.  The kingdom of God visible through my spiritual eyes coexists in time with the worldly kingdom evident through my physical eyes. Both are grounded in reality.

Boldness

Embracing the reality of the spiritual is a work of God in our hearts.  He instills the faith to believe, fostering a sense of assurance in our souls that all that is revealed in the Bible is true.  And given that it is true, how then shall we live?   The writer of Hebrews emboldens the believer, calling for a bold approach to the throne of grace (Heb 4:16).  The throne of God is as real as the thrones erected for the emperors of the great Roman empire.  Turning to my friend who has his hand on my shoulder, I respond with a confident tone that my devotion is to the only true King, Jesus Christ through whom I give thanks to God the Father (Col 3:17).   Ironically, it is the things that are unseen which are real and eternal.  From such a posture, I build a relationship with my God, knowing that He is working in my inner man molding and shaping me into the image of his Son.  Paul reminded the Corinthians of this very truth.

Knowing God, talking with God, serving God, sharing His truths with others, honoring and enjoying God – all possible having been convinced of the spiritual realm which resonates in my soul.