A False Dichotomy of Reality

So I’m trying to figure out exactly how a relationship with God is more fulfilling than a tangible, physical person that I can see, feel, touch, and hear. I mean, Jesus said it himself:

…Sorrow has filled your heart. Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you. (John 16:6-7)

It’s to my advantage that Jesus isn’t here with me? But don’t people say heaven isn’t a place, it’s a person: Jesus? The reason heaven is so great is because we get to be with Jesus. So how is it that not being with him now, and instead only having the Spirit, is better?

The presence of God the Spirit brings better, fuller fellowship than the presence of Christ.

I wonder if Paul was speaking into this when he said,

For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. (Ephesians 6:12)

Do you ever find yourself more comforted by physical realities than spiritual ones? We often say things like, “Well I feel really guilty, but I know in God’s eyes, I’m forgiven.” Or, “I know I should be excited to share the gospel, but the idea of hell and spiritual death really doesn’t do anything for me.”

The truth is, there’s only one reality. There is not a spiritual universe and a physical universe; there’s one universe.

I don’t have to conjure up imaginary images of what the bible says is true about me. I don’t have to try to convince myself that in some far off land, God does like me, I just can’t feel it right now. No, there’s no such thing as “spiritual truth,” there’s just plain truth. There’s no difference between physical reality and spiritual reality, there’s just plain reality.

Do you not know that you1 are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you? (1 Cor. 3:16)

Truth: God literally lives IN me. I am continually WITH God. That is reality. It’s true, it’s real, maybe it’s even tangible. Friend, you don’t have to convince yourself of anything. If you have Jesus, you are legitimately in God’s presence, always. It’s a fact of reality. Let’s live in it.