Aug 04

One reason I bring up the puzzling, alternate definition of the word virtual is because of some intriguing things the Bible says about names and the connection between what a thing is named and the reality of that thing.

One of the first examples of this is found in the beginning, in the Garden of Eden, where, the Bible says, God gave to Adam the task and honor of naming all the animals which God had created. The Bible then says that whatever the man called each living creature, that was its name (Genesis 2:19).

Its reality was wrapped up in its name. This is the way God intended for it to be. Reality was never meant to be broken up with discord between the way things really were and the way things were mistakenly perceived, as they often are in our world today.

No wonder virtual reality is so prevalent in our world: It reflects the reality of our world today, focused as it is on anything but the great reality of God. Reality and how it is perceived go together.

Many other examples could be given from the Bible where a person's name was changed because the reality of who that person was had undergone a major change. Abram became Abraham; Jacob became Israel; Simon became Peter.

The name of a thing or person has a great deal to do with reality. Those who believe in Christ go by the name of Christians, because their reality is founded in Christ.

Scripture for today: Genesis 2:19, 20
Thought for today: The name of reality is Jesus.
Prayer for today: Lord Jesus, continue to change me so that my life is fully one with reality, one with you.

AUG 04