He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him [Jesus], all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. (Colossians 1:15-17, ESV)
While watching professional golf, we often hear about a player and their “intangibles.” Confidence, courage, and remaining calm under pressure are regular candidates for what we consider real but invisible.
We cannot see these intangible qualities, but we know they are real. When someone mentions a certain player and that he has what it takes “between the ears” to win, we don’t balk and deny the existence of their “internal fortitude” because we can’t put it under a microscope or in a test tube.
There are more than a few things that are and will forever remain unseen that we cannot live without. For instance, receiving love from parents, spouses, and children is essential for a meaningful life. We might see the expressions of love, but we cannot see love itself.
We could go on forever about things that exist but cannot be observed. Those reading this devotional have minds and souls but try as I might, I will not see them. If you deny you have minds and souls, you’ve already lost the argument.
The arrogant and self-appointed omnicompetence of Scientism boasted that only the seen or physical world is the real world. I’ve never seen the reality that mathematical equations point to, but I know those realities exist.
For thousands of years before “The Enlightenment (17th and 18th centuries), virtually all intellectuals universally understood that we live in a world of visible and invisible realities.
For instance, those who had spent their lives studying the abstract realities of metaphysics (i.e., existence or being) assumed the first principles of things like logic. I don’t know about you, but I have never seen the “law of non-contradiction.” Deny its existence, though, and you will soon find yourself all tangled up in massive confusion.
In addition to these mathematical, scientific, and philosophical categories, it has been universally agreed upon, at least before the arrival of those who deny the existence of God, that we inhabit a world with both physical and spiritual realities.
Granted, many have debunked various superstitions that purport to be real. Still, these same folk (e.g., David Hume, F. Nietzsche), try as they might, have never successfully disproven the existence of God, angels, demons, miracles, human consciousness, and universal moral demands; nor can they.
With Paul, we agree that creation reveals the invisible God. With Paul, we agree that our conscience screams the reality of our unseen Maker. With Paul, we humbly admit that our constituent nature (the image of God) immediately acknowledges that we are contingent beings; we owe our existence to our Creator. Simply put, we are dependent beings, and we know it. (Romans 1: 18-32)
The men or women who deny these realities have spent a lifetime turning a blind eye to all that surrounds them in creation. Day after day, they “suppress the truth from their conscience in unrighteousness.”
In short, men and women who live without honoring and thanking God are those with a “culpable or willful ignorance.” They don’t see because they don’t want to see. Notice in today’s verse, “…all things are created by and for Jesus Christ.” That’s the rub! Adam’s descendants refuse to acknowledge they exist for Him!
The infamous British atheist, Bertrand Russell, was once asked what he would say to God if he were wrong about God’s existence. He replied, “Not enough evidence, God, not enough evidence!”
Tragically, Dr. Russell now knows how self-deceived he was. Take a moment, take stock of all around you and within you, pointing you to the invisible reality of your Creator and Redeemer, Jesus Christ!
Prayer: Jesus, open our eyes to the reality of a spiritual dimension around us!