Boundaries

In life, we have boundaries. It is one of the tenets of the moral code that has been established for many years. The boundaries set by God have been established since the beginning, and man has almost always stretched those

boundaries to fit what we want. In Joshua 15, there were land allotments for different tribes, and you can see they were very specific because this is how and where people would establish their lives. Joshua 15: 1 The allotment for the tribe of Judah, according to its clans, extended down to the territory of Edom, to the Desert of Zin in the extreme south. ² Their southern boundary started from the bay at the southern end of the Dead Sea,³ crossed south of Scorpion Pass, continued on to Zin and went over to the south of Kadesh Barnea. Then it ran past Hezron up to Addar and curved around to Karka. ⁴ It then passed along to Azmon and joined the Wadi of Egypt, ending at the Mediterranean Sea. This is their southern boundary. That was just the southern boundary and the northern boundary was even more specific, and this was so all could know this is mine and this is not mine.

We live in a world that has tried to stretch all boundaries of decency in dress, in thought, morality (or the lack thereof), and in just about everything. God's boundaries still stand, but we must submit to those boundaries, especially if you are a born-again believer. In 2 Corinthians 6, Paul tells of the need to reject idols, where he says, 2 Corinthians 6: 14 Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? ¹⁵ What harmony is there between Christ and Belial? Or what does a believer have in common with an unbeliever? ¹⁶ What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God.

We need not make any agreements with those things God has rejected for us. God's plan is the best plan, but we must have a willing heart to agree with Him and not the world. You know you have a problem in your relationship with God when you are not willing to follow His boundaries for your life. There is nowhere in scripture where it tells us to mix a little world and a little of Jesus in our thinking, and all "will be well!" Paul wrote this in Philippians 4:⁸ Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.⁹ Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

As the Psalmist says in Psalm 16, we need God's strength to stand strong in our convictions as given through God's Word. Psalm 16:⁵ Lord, you alone are my portion and my cup; you make my lot secure. ⁶ The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance. ⁷ I will praise the Lord, who counsels me;

even at night my heart instructs me. ⁸ I keep my eyes always on the Lord. With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken. We must keep our eyes on the Lord always and not give the enemy any foothold in our thinking or living. God is faithful to stand for us and with us as we strive to live the life He wants us to live. God sets the boundaries and gives us the Holy Spirit to stay within those boundaries, but the key is relying on the Holy Spirit and God's Word for the heavenly wisdom and guidance. Remember, the path that leads to God's ways is narrow, and the wide path leads to destruction.

Study God's word, and those boundaries will take shape, but you must have a willing heart to stay within those boundaries. Romans 12:²¹ Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

The Pilgrimage Continues,

David Warren