Loyalty to a Greater King: The Sacred and the Secular
The biblical understanding of sacred and secular space, as illustrated in the Day of Atonement ritual with its two goats, demonstrates that while not everything secular is sinful, sin cannot exist within sacred space and requires both forgiveness and removal. Jesus Christ fulfills both aspects of this ancient ritual through his death and resurrection, offering both atonement for sin through his blood and removal of sin through his body, enabling Christians to truly become sacred space. While Christians live in the secular world, their true citizenship belongs to God's kingdom, requiring them to maintain their sacred character through conscious choices about loyalty and lifestyle, embracing both Christ's forgiveness and his power to remove sin from their lives.
Synopsis:
In contemporary Christian discourse, we often draw a simple distinction between the secular and religious spheres of life. We categorize certain activities, like worship music, as belonging to church life, while others, such as our daily routines of brushing teeth or going to work, fall into the secular domain. However, Scripture presents a more nuanced contrast between what we call secular—the things of this world—and what we define as sacred, the realm where God resides.
The Nature of Sacred and Secular Space
The biblical concept of sacred space differs significantly from our modern understanding. Rather than making a moral judgment about secular activities, Scripture emphasizes that while not everything secular is sinful, anything sinful cannot exist within sacred space. This distinction was crucial in the ancient world and remains relevant for Christians today, though it takes a different form after the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
The Book of Leviticus, particularly in its description of the Day of Atonement, provides profound insights into these concepts. As recorded in Leviticus 16, after the tragic death of Aaron's sons, the Lord established specific protocols for entering sacred space. The text states: "The Lord spoke to Moses after the death of the two sons of Aaron, when they drew near before the Lord and died. And the Lord said to Moses, 'Tell Aaron your brother not to come at any time into the holy place inside the veil, before the mercy seat that is on the ark, so that he may not die.'"
Understanding Sin and Atonement
The concept of sin extends far beyond simply breaking divine laws. King David captured this depth in Psalm 14, writing: "The Lord looks down from heaven on the children of man to see if there are any who understand, who seek after God. They have all turned aside together; they have become corrupt; there is none who does good, not even one." This passage reveals that sin stems from a fundamental lack of loyalty toward God, manifesting as a deep-seated heart condition rather than mere disobedience.
The Day of Atonement addressed this reality through a remarkable two-goat system. The first goat was sacrificed for sin offerings, while the second was sent into the wilderness to Azazel. This dual approach demonstrated that sin required both forgiveness and removal from the community. The high priest's elaborate preparation, including bathing and donning special garments, symbolized the purification necessary to transition from secular to sacred space.
## The Role of Jesus Christ
In the New Testament, Jesus fulfills both aspects of the Day of Atonement sacrifice. As John records Jesus's words to Pilate: "My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from this world" (John 18:36). This declaration establishes Jesus as the king of a heavenly kingdom, distinct from earthly powers.
The Apostle John further clarifies this distinction, writing: "We know that we are from God, and the whole world lies in the power of the evil one" (1 John 5:19). This creates a clear contrast between God's kingdom and the secular world, which remains under Satan's influence.
The Christian's Position: In but Not Of the World
Jesus's prayer in John 17 provides crucial guidance for Christians navigating these two realms: "I have given them your word, and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one." This teaching establishes that while Christians live in the secular world, their true citizenship belongs to God's kingdom.
The implications of this dual citizenship are profound. While Christians naturally share many external similarities with the world—in dress, food, and daily activities—their ultimate allegiance must be to Christ's kingdom. This affects how believers approach moral issues, requiring them to align with biblical standards rather than worldly values.
The Lord's Supper: A Contemporary Picture
The Lord's Supper beautifully illustrates these concepts for modern Christians. As Luke records: "And he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, 'This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.' And likewise the cup after they had eaten, saying, 'This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood.'" The cup represents atonement through Christ's blood, while the broken bread symbolizes his body bearing our sins to the grave, fulfilling both aspects of the Day of Atonement ritual.
Conclusion
Understanding sacred and secular space remains crucial for contemporary Christian life. Just as the ancient Israelites needed both forgiveness of sins and their removal from the camp, modern believers must embrace both Christ's atoning sacrifice and his power to remove sin from their lives. This comprehensive understanding helps Christians maintain their distinct identity while living effectively in the secular world.
The challenge for modern Christians is to maintain their sacred character while engaging with the secular world—to be in the world but not of it. This requires conscious choices about loyalty and lifestyle, recognizing that while not everything secular is sinful, sacred space requires both forgiveness of and freedom from sin through Christ's complete work on the cross.
