In summary…
– The life of a believer begins and ends with God.
– Getting born again is a free gift from God, through the death of Christ for our sins.
– When we get born again, we are set free
Just as God set boundaries for Adam and Eve, Jesus sets boundaries for us as Christians.
These boundaries are not just to limit us but to ensure we live in freedom.
As believers, the moment we cross the set boundaries, we face the consequences that come with being outside the boundaries that protect us.
Exodus 19:12 (NIV)
12 Put limits for the people around the mountain and tell them, ‘Be careful that you do not approach the mountain or touch the foot of it. Whoever touches the mountain is to be put to death.
Boundaries – what are they for?
1. They define our identities – set us apart as Christians.2. They help us care for others even if they are not born again.3. They are important because we as believers are not immune to sin.
What happens when God’s boundaries are crossed?
To illustrate, we’ll look at the story of Adam and Eve. After they ate of the forbidden fruit. You can read it here. As a result:
1. Their freedom was curtailed.
(And the Lord God said, “The man has now become like one of us, knowing good and evil. He must not be allowed to reach out his hand and take also from the tree of life and eat, and live forever.” | Genesis 3:22) 2. The privilege was withdrawn.(So the Lord God banished him from the Garden of Eden to work the ground from which he had been taken. | Genesis 3:23) 3. They no longer had express access to God.
(After he drove the man out, he placed on the east side of the Garden of Eden cherubim and a flaming sword flashing back and forth to guard the way to the tree of life. | Genesis 3:24)
Proverbs 8:34-36 (NIV)
34 Blessed are those who listen to me,
watching daily at my doors,
waiting at my doorway.
35 For those who find me find life
and receive favor from the Lord.
36 But those who fail to find me harm themselves;
all who hate me love death.”
Deutronomy 28:15 (NIV)
15 However, if you do not obey the Lord your God and do not carefully follow all his commands and decrees I am giving you today, all these curses will come on you and overtake you…
Benefits of staying within the Boundaries
1. You become happy. Because you have obeyed God by doing the right thing at the right time. |Proverbs 29:182. You become protected. |Psalm 143:8-9 |Psalm 119:165-168
How can I remain within the boundaries?
1. Recognize the battle is constant in the mind.2. Renew your mind daily by prayer.3. What we feed our minds with is what will dictate the choices we make (Romans 12:1-3)4. Don’t give the enemy space.5. Resist basing your beliefs, values and choices on the mindset that comes from the world.6. Love God and live with close fellowship with Him.
~ By Mary Wanjohi
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