Better Boundaries
Freedom is not the absence of boundaries, freedom is the ability to [flourish] within God's boundaries.
And the Lord God commanded the man saying, you may surely eat of [every tree] of the garden.
But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, you shall not eat for in the day that you eat of it, you shall surely [die].
- How have you viewed God's boundaries in your life—as restrictions or as protective gifts? What would it look like to see them through the lens of God's love this week?
- Is there an area where you've been drawing your own boundary lines instead of trusting God's design? Talk to God about it today.
Boundaries remind us that we are not [God].
If you want a real knowledge of what is good and evil, of what is right and wrong, you're never gonna get it by your own reason, you have to rely on [divine revelation]
As the creator of the world, God has [wisdom] that we don't have.
Every time God says, hey, here's a boundary that I'm putting around this, here's a commandment that I'm putting around this, he's saying, this is for your [good].
- In what area of life have you been tempted to play God—deciding what's right or wrong based on your own reasoning rather than God's Word?
- How does it change your perspective to know that God's wisdom far exceeds your own understanding? Where do you need to trust Him more fully today?
Boundaries actually [maximize] our freedom.
God's generosity far outweighs his [restrictions].
The world's definition of freedom is very different than [God's] definition of freedom.
What is at the center of the world's definition of freedom? [Self].
- Think about the many blessings God has given you. How does His generosity far outweigh the few restrictions He sets? Take time to thank Him for specific gifts today.
- Where have you believed the lie that boundaries rob you of joy? Ask God to help you see His boundaries as the pathway to true freedom.
God's boundaries are not just prohibitions from something, but instead, they're actually [protective fences]
The enemy comes to steal kill and destroy, I came that you may have what? Life and have it [abundantly].
That boundary was not his enemy, that boundary was the [environment] with which he was created to flourish.
Freedom is found in life lived within the [right boundaries]
- Can you think of a time when ignoring God's boundary led to pain? How might embracing His design have protected you?
- Jesus promises abundant life within His loving boundaries. What step can you take today to live more fully in that abundant life?
You get to choose what you're going to do with every boundary that God has given, but you do not get to choose the [consequence].
God holds the consequence in his [hand].
This is what the Bible calls [sin].
The moment we chose to step out of the boundary, we too were [cut off]
He came because he alone could live perfectly within the boundaries that God had given and he lived a [sinless life]
- Is there a boundary you've been flirting with or have already crossed? Confess it to God and ask for His mercy and fresh start today.
- How does knowing that Jesus lived perfectly within God's boundaries—and paid for your sin—change the way you approach His boundaries now? Spend time thanking Him for His grace.