[Christ] died for all, so that those who live should no longer live for themselves, but only for him who died and was raised to life for their sake.

2 Corinthians 5:15 (GNT)

 

Western Christianity is prone to dualism. It divides the sacred from the secular, the clergy from the laity, and the Word of God from the Spirit of God. When we separate what God never intended to be separated, we will end up with a dualistic version of the Christian life that impedes our spiritual health and well-being.

Unfortunately, this dualistic version of the Christian life is widely accepted. We can continue to be consumers of the church without becoming producers of the good things of the Kingdom. We can continue as worshippers without becoming workers of the good news of the Kingdom. We can continue attending endless church functions or engaging in perpetual Bible studies without becoming salt and light of the Kingdom.

Life in this dualism makes it very easy to ignore God and live life on our own terms. In other words, we never discover our true purpose and identity, nor do we fulfill our calling and vocation. We will remain as spiritual babies and not grow as mature sons and daughters of God.

We are to recover the connection between worship and mission, faith and work and relationship with God and responsibility to His world. This means we no longer live to please ourselves or let our feelings direct our actions. Rather, we are to return to the truth of who we really are and created to be in Christ.

When we live for the audience of the One we call "Lord”, He enables us to thrive from a co-creative relationship with Him. Then obeying Him is not laborious, but a joyful privilege.