Does the Bible distinguish between the secular and the sacred?

what does the bible say?

The Bible shows that God sets apart certain people, places, times, and objects as holy, yet His purposes extend to all of life. In the Old Testament, sacred spaces, like the Tabernacle, the Temple, and appointed festivals, were distinct from everyday activities, and specific roles, such as priests and kings, carried consecrated responsibilities (Exodus 25–31; Leviticus 21; Deuteronomy 6:5–7). The New Testament emphasizes that believers themselves are called to be sanctified, called to glorify God in all they do, whether in church, work, or daily life (Romans 1:7; Colossians 3:23–24; 1 Corinthians 10:31). While God specifically calls His people to live within His sacred plan, the overarching principle is that everything that is not sinful is sacred when dedicated to His glory. Ultimately, the boundary between sacred and secular depends not on the activity itself, but on our intention to honor God in thought, word, and deed, making all of life an opportunity to reflect His holiness.

from the old testament

• God set apart the Tabernacle (Exodus 25–31) and later the Temple as holy places, with specific instructions for sacrifices, priestly duties, and rituals. Objects used in worship, like the Ark of the Covenant, the altar, and the lampstand, were explicitly consecrated as holy (Exodus 30:26–29). Some things are sacred because God designates them for His purposes.
• Everyday activities, like work, agriculture, or business, were part of ordinary life, while the Sabbath was commanded as a holy day of rest (Exodus 20:8–11; Leviticus 23). Certain festivals—Passover, Feast of Tabernacles—also marked sacred times set apart from daily life (Leviticus 23).
• Priests, Levites, and kings—in certain contexts—were consecrated for God’s purposes (Exodus 28:1–3; Leviticus 21). While the general population engaged in ordinary life, these roles carried sacred responsibilities.
• Still, God’s moral standards and covenant principles apply to all areas of life, suggesting that even “secular” activities can honor Him when done rightly (Deuteronomy 6:5–7; Proverbs 3:6).

from the new testament

• The Bible describes certain people, places, and things as “sanctified,” or set apart. For example, the New Testament Greek word for “church,” ekklesia, literally means “a called-out assembly.” Those who are a part of the church are “called to be saints” (Romans 1:7). Jesus called them the “the salt of the earth” and “the light of the world” (Matthew 5:13–16).
• All creation was made to be set apart for God and will be again when He redeems and restores all that sin has destroyed (Romans 8:22–25; Ephesians 1:22; 1 Corinthians 15:28; Philippians 2:10-11).
• The Bible tells us that everything that is not sinful can be sacred and is meant to glorify God: “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ” (Colossians 3:23–24).
• Not only our work, but everything we do—hobbies, relationships, even eating and drinking, is for the glory of the Lord (1 Corinthians 10:31).
• There are specific holy institutions God has given with distinct responsibilities. The church, for instance, is called to proclaim the gospel, make disciples (Matthew 28:19–20), and bless the culture in which it exists (Jeremiah 29:7), among other biblically mandated tasks. The state, or government, likewise has God-given duties, including maintaining justice and order (Romans 13:1–7). Care should be taken, however, when categorizing these institutions. While the church should engage with society, and the state should be concerned with moral matters, they operate in different spheres. Both institutions have God-given functions and benefit when each faithfully fulfills its responsibilities.

implications for today

People naturally desire to categorize things. For Christians, we often categorize items or activities as Christian or non-Christian, holy or not holy, godly or not godly, sacred or secular. Music is a good example. We sometimes talk about sacred music—that with easily-identifiable Christian themes—versus secular music—everything else. Along with music, our employment or work is usually a subject we want to place under some label, such as sacred or secular. Biblically, though, it does not matter if your work comes under the auspices of a ministry, church, or non-profit Christian organization or not. All work is sacred with the right attitude, perspective, and intention. In some ways, it is biblical to make certain distinctions between the “sacred” and the “secular.” However, in other ways, the separation between sacred and secular is not helpful. God created all things for His glory. Everything was meant to be sacred, pointing to Him as the giver of all that is good. As such, all things, when done for God’s glory, can be sacred. Cooking for your family can be sacred. Creating an inviting home where people can experience God’s love and presence can be sacred. Spending one’s free time can be sacred. The only difference between that which is sacred and that which is secular is whether or not we are seeking to please and reflect God with what we think, say, and do. Too often, we compartmentalize activities, items, and people into categories of secular and sacred. Then, we tend to allow God to have “His things and times”—namely Sunday morning or other times at church—and keep the rest for ourselves. Instead, we should be intentionally trying to honor God with all our time and activities. Today, we sometimes overuse the categories of secular and sacred. A Christian plumber can be just as God-honoring during his work as a Christian musician. A Christian baker can make cupcakes to the glory of God, just as a Christian educator can teach to the glory of God. The possibilities are endless. When we walk in the Spirit and dedicate our minute-by-minute to God, the so-called lines between secular and sacred will merge into God-honoring time.

Recap

understand

• God sets apart certain people, places, and times as holy, but all of creation was meant to honor His sacredness.
• Believers are called to reflect God’s glory in everything, merging the line between “secular” and “sacred.”
• All creation is God’s and will one day be restored; until then, all that is not sin is meant to be sacred, reflecting God’s glory.

reflect

• How do you approach your daily activities—work, hobbies, or family life—with the intention of honoring God?
• Are there areas in your life where you tend to separate “sacred” from “secular,” and how might that affect your relationship with God?
• How can you intentionally engage in ordinary moments, like cooking, commuting, or interacting with others, to make them sacred for God’s glory?

engage

• How can we encourage each other to see all aspects of life as opportunities to reflect God’s holiness?
• How might over-categorizing activities as sacred or secular limit God’s intent?
• In what ways should we or should we not separate secular and sacred?