4. Two Realities: Physical and Spiritual
“Since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace … ” (Heb 12:28). “… having boldness to enter the Holiest … let us draw near … ” (Heb 10:19-22).
There are two realities that the biblical message reveals: the physical/earthly reality and the spiritual/heavenly reality. The message in the Letter to the Hebrews cannot be clearly understood without a clear distinction between the earthly tabernacle and the spiritual tabernacle; or the worldly situation and the kingdom of God.
The overall message in the Bible addresses these two realities: the physical/earthly reality and the spiritual/heavenly reality. The believer in Christ Jesus lives in both realities and is called to walk in both realities. We don’t have a problem identifying with living and walking in the physical/earthly reality. However, we are blind to the spiritual/heavenly reality until we recognize Jesus Christ in our life. Even Christians are blind to much of the spiritual/heavenly reality, which they have been placed in.
The New Testament writers identified the spiritual/heavenly reality as the kingdom of God. We are to live and walk as citizens of the kingdom of God. A number of factors come into play in this spiritual walk in the kingdom of God. One is the acceptance that Jesus Christ is alive and lives within us. The triune God lives within us. The believer is taught, comforted, and led by the triune God.
The Christian must learn to identify and see Jesus Christ in their daily living. The Christian must learn to hear the voice of Jesus Christ along with other ways that He communicates with the believer. Paul declares that the believer lives in the realm and context of the Spirit; and that the believer must order their lives and set their priorities in the Spirit. The physical/earthly tabernacle shows us how to walk in the spiritual/heavenly reality.
How does this apply to the Christian? The Christian must know how to live and operate in the two realities that engulfs the individual. We are born into the physical reality and our lives are consumed therein. However, to live and walk in fellowship and dialogue with the Lord God, one must understand how to live and walk in the spiritual reality.
Google Reality, Kingdom of God, Kingdom of Heaven
