May 25, 2024 Daily Dose of Discernment

Beloved, I pray that in all respects you may prosper and be in good health, just as your soul prospers. (3 John 2)

Christianity doesn’t espouse dualism. It doesn’t dichotomize (or distinguish) life into the spiritual (as good) and the material (as evil), but sees it as God designed it: one single whole. We’re not sometimes in the spirit and sometimes in the flesh. We’re always in the spirit and in the flesh, and we relate to God as such. We love and worship Him with our whole being - heart, soul, mind and strength.

All things are lawful, material or otherwise, though not all profitable. What’s not good is overindulgence on one hand, but also the other extreme of puritanism on the other. But if we thankfully recognize that God richly supplies us with all things to enjoy, all things will be pure (1 Timothy 4:4-5, 1 Timothy 6:17, Titus 1:15). As one theologian said, “Where the Catholic sun doth shine, there’s always laughter and good red wine.” So let us celebrate our God-given human life, not in excess, but in recognition of what brings true joy.