[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 create a dualistic picture of the Christian life that undermines 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 Kingdom. We can continue as worshippers without becoming workers of the good news of the Kingdom. We can continue attending endless church events 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 fulfil our calling and vocation. We will remain as spiritual babies rather than maturing into God's sons and daughters.

We are to recover the connection between worship and mission, faith and work, intimacy with God and responsibility to His calling. This means that we no longer live to please ourselves or let our feelings guide our actions. Rather, we must return to the truth of who we 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 a delightful pleasure rather than a laborious chore.

What is God saying to me here and what must I do?