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Growing up as a child and teenager I did not understand boundaries.
Why can’t I do that? What is wrong with playing in the street? Why is taking a piece of candy from the store without paying for it wrong? Why can’t I stay out late like other kids do? What is the big deal about not experimenting with illegal substances? Why can’t I do with my body what I want? What is wrong about sex outside of marriage? My argument: How come I cannot do what I want when I want for whatever reason I want? The reason: God and the people who care about me love me. From cover to cover, God’s Word, the Bible, is a book of boundaries. A good example of boundaries is found in the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:1-17) “Thou shall” and “Thou shall not” are divine fences. The Lord’s boundaries are based on His unconditional love for us. He loves us period! Which means He watches over the ones He loves. When God erects a boundary, He is saying “I love you.” Boundaries in the Bible are a blessing, not a curse A benefit, not a detriment. The Bible’s boundaries are do’s and don’ts, holy fences erected by God to protect His people. There are more do’s than do nots. Do’s and do nots are good for you and me. Do the do’s and you are blessed. Do not do the do nots and you are blessed. Stay within boundaries, safe. Cross boundaries, unsafe. Looks like a win/win proposition to me! The Apostle John writes in I John 5:3 “For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments, and His commandments (boundaries) are not burdensome.” God’s commandments are given, not to weigh us down, but to lift us up. Never to burden us. Always to bless us. Not to imprison or enslave us, but to set us free from our carnal desires and ungodly behavior. Our flesh rebels against boundaries, especially God’s. Why? Because we want to be and do what we think we should be and get to do. As sinful creatures (Romans 3:23, 6:23, 5:6-12) we want to be our own God. You and I want to call the shots, be in charge, run the show. Almighty God is in charge and His boundaries are immovable. Our culture labors purposely and tirelessly to move or remove boundaries that God has set for our good. Moral boundaries, purity boundaries, decency boundaries, relationship boundaries, lawful boundaries and wise, common-sense rules for a peaceful society are being torn down in the name of human enlightenment. Boundary crashers, breakers and busters who disrespect their Creator and Redeemer are walking in spiritual darkness, not light. Boundary breakers. Boundary crashers. Boundary busters. Oh my, I see them far too often in my crisis counseling ministry. Sadly, I hear words laced with tearful regret “If only I had not crossed the line.” People sabotage relationships by crossing boundaries. When men and women set personal standards and boundaries for themselves and break them, they become conflicted, confused, and overcome with shame and guilt. It a hard road to hoe when we know we have let ourselves (and others) down. Relationally, broken boundaries sever the bonds of trust and security. Crossed lines, particularly moral ones, are extremely difficult to restore. Some people are insecure and co-dependent on others. They know better but they keep moving the fences to accommodate another person’s poor behavior. Then they are surprised when the people who say they love them jump the fences again and again. A word to the wise: when you set a boundary, do not move it. What good is a fence if it keeps moving? The good news: God loves us so much that He sent His sinless Son Jesus to redeem us from our sinful natures. There is no boundary when it comes to Jesus’ love for you and me! How You Can Be A Boundary Keeper
“And Jesus answered and said to them “Why do you (Pharisees) yourselves transgress the commandment of God for the sake of your tradition?” Matthew 15:3 A Word For Your Week: Thank God for boundaries that bless your life. |
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