God has boundaries
Boundaries. It is a concept, as a society, we have fallen in love with. We urge others to set boundaries with family members, friends, coworkers, etc. Not only are we establishing boundaries, but we are establishing consequences if boundaries are crossed. (As we should.) However, I am puzzled with how we strongly affirm our boundaries, but we disregard God’s.
I frequently hear things like, “God knows my heart,” “God is love,” “God is a forgiving God,” and other common sayings that basically misrepresent God’s character and His grace. Yes, God is a loving God. Yes, God does forgive our sins. Yes, God does know our hearts. God’s Word says, “man’s heart is deceitful” (Jeremiah 17:9) and He knows your true intention. He knows that you violate and disregard his Words to fulfill your flesh and then expect Him to forgive you. Basically, we cross God’s boundaries all the time.
God’s Word tells us not to fornicate, not to speak vulgarly, not to lie, not to gossip, among other things. (See Exodus 20:2-17 and Colossians 3:1-25); however, we have accepted a culture that has told us, God will forgive us if we constantly do these things. The word repent means to not just say sorry but adopt change. Therefore, if I have sex with someone and ask the Lord to forgive me but turn around and have sex the following week, I crossed a boundary.
Now, our God is merciful; however, we do not want His mercy to run out. Saul is an example of what happens when God’s grace runs out. (1 Samuel 16:14). Therefore, let’s evaluate all that we do and allow God to work on us so we aren’t crossing His boundaries. Deuteronomy 8 and Deuteronomy 11:8-32 exemplifies what can happen when we disobey God.
None of us are perfect. Paul wrote that we all fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23), but the point of that scripture is to repent and lean on the Lord to not to do it again.
In closing, let’s respect God’s boundaries so we can live the abundant lives promise to us.
