As we have already discussed, the physical realm is governed by universal truths, also known as laws. The same is true for the spiritual realm. We become aware of these spiritual laws through Scripture as revealed by the Holy Spirit. For a full explanation of the Spirit’s work in revealing spiritual laws, read 1 Corinthians 2. In summary, To the one who has the Spirit, these universal laws are completely observable and knowable.

Note: This is the third installment in the What is Truth? Series. Previous articles are always available at http://www.webbweekly.com.

Before we begin discussing spiritual truth, 1 Corinthians 2 raises an interesting question: Does God give his Spirit to some people and withhold it from others? Theologians like John Calvin (predestination) and Jacob Arminius (free will) have wrestled with that very question and have written systematic theologies based on their conclusions. Humility would suggest that the definitive answer is known only to God. What we do know for certain are two spiritual laws that give hope to all people:
Truth #1 – God wants all people to be saved.

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. (John 3:16-17)

This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. (1 Timothy 2:4)
Truth #2 – God wants all people to know truth.

Why? Because truth is what sets you free. James 4 provides a full statement on how we gain access to the truth, and one verse sums it up: “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble” (James 4:6). Humility is the attitude required for gaining access to the truth. If you are proud and believe you do not need God, then you will not have him or access to the truth found in the spiritual laws. The choice is yours to make.

The person without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God but considers them foolishness, and cannot understand them because they are discerned only through the Spirit. (1 Corinthians 2:14)

If you don’t believe in God, then you may be wondering why his Spirit is working in your heart and mind right now. The answer is humility. Your choice to read this book, empowered by the awakening grace of God, is a humble confession that you don’t yet have all the answers to life. That bit of humility is enough to open the door to the Spirit’s presence and wisdom. If faith is beginning to make sense to you, thank the Holy Spirit.

It is a universal truth: humility opens the door to grace. A humble athlete is coachable; a humble student is teachable; a humble offender is forgivable. If you want to receive the grace of wisdom to understand spiritual truth, then pray right now and humbly confess your need to God. His Spirit will respond with grace. It is a universal spiritual law.

With humility and the Spirit’s wisdom, we are now ready for three more spiritual truths. We will be exploring these truths in much greater detail in the weeks to come. As we do, be warned: the truth is sometimes very hard to hear, but knowing truth is always better than believing lies. If you have cancer, you need the truth so you can effectively plan next steps. Again, the truth sets us free.
Truth #3 – All people are condemned to death.

There is no one righteous, not even one. (Romans 3:10)

For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. (Romans 3:23)

For the wages of sin is death. (Romans 6:23)

Death is eternal separation from God, the Author and Sustainer of all life. For a being who was created to live in eternal fellowship with God, there could be no greater loss. The question, “What am I missing?” grows out of this difficult truth.
Truth #4 – Through Jesus Christ, God extends mercy and grace to all people.

Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! (John 1:29)

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:16)

You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. (Romans 5:6)

But he has appeared once for all at the culmination of the ages to do away with sin by the sacrifice of himself. Just as people are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many. (Hebrews 9:26-27)
Truth #5 – Through yielding faith in Jesus Christ, all people are reconciled to God.

Whoever believes in him is not condemned. (John 3:18)

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. (2 Corinthians 5:17-19)

Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. (Romans 5:1-2)

These five spiritual laws are universal and absolute. They apply to all people in all places and at all times. Like physical laws, we can choose to deny and defy them, but if we do, we will suffer the consequences. If we humbly yield to them and faithfully cooperate with them, we will experience blessing and freedom. Again, the choice is yours to make.