Aug 02

God is the final judge of what is real and what is not. And he says that there is no escape from the reality of death except through Christ. Life and death, heaven and hell, God and judgment . . . these are ultimates and absolutes -- terms this relativistic world of ours does not like to hear.

But, as was said earlier, reality does not care about what we want. It is reality, not our desires or our wills, that has absolute power over what is.

Reality is what continues to exist, whether we want it to or not. That is why those who seek to escape what they consider to be the harsh reality of life here on this earth by suicide are fooling themselves. Death is not the end of existence; it is only a transformation into another mode of existing.

It was said earlier also that drugs and suicide are two ways people seek to escape reality. Neither in actuality (reality) provides escape. They simply alter one's perspective.

But there are other, less immediately severe ways which people use to try to escape reality. One such way is rapidly gaining popularity in our modern, technological world: that of virtual reality, a reality which does not actually exist in fact but only appears to exist.

Again, reality does not change, only one's perception of reality. It is not real; it is a false reality that seems real only to the viewer. It is another instance of setting one's self up as god, where only what affects self matters. Virtual reality can be a harmless form of entertainment -- or it can be idolatry. We are not to worship ourselves but the One who exists as the only true God.

Scripture for today: Exodus 3:14
Thought for today: Virtual reality is real only to those who perceive it.
Prayer for today: Lord God, you are the great I AM. May I never substitute lesser realities for you, the one great reality.

AUG 02