Freedom and Boundaries
“Now the serpent was craftier than any of the wild animals the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, ‘Did God really say, “You must not eat from any tree in the garden”?'” – Genesis 3:1
God is big on giving man freedom and boundaries!
*Freedom to manage what He has entrusted to us.
*Boundaries to protect us from evil.
The boundaries in the Garden of Eden were not set for the purpose of limiting Adam.
Man got into trouble when he questioned those boundaries.
God had provided everything he would need for life. He also entrusted man with responsibility to manage and work the Garden.
God gave him freedom in that responsibility. God knows we were made to express ourselves creatively through our work.
Both freedom and boundaries are always under the umbrella of God’s authority and our authorities at work.
Jesus understood these boundaries.
When He was tempted for 40 days by the devil after being baptized, He was challenged by satan to go outside His freedom and boundaries. (See Matthew 4:1-11.)
*Satan said that He had the power to turn a stone into bread. Jesus was hungry and easily could have justified using His power to feed Himself.
However, Jesus understood He could do nothing outside the boundaries of God’s will for His life.
It was God’s will for Jesus to be tempted and to withstand the temptation.
*God was showing His Son that “man does not live on bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God” (Mt. 4:4b).
You and I are tempted every day to go beyond our God-ordained boundaries.
Whether it is solving financial problems that have arisen through debt, making wrong decisions due to pressure, or manipulating someone in order to achieve our ends, it all represents rebellion toward God.
Ask God to show you His freedom and boundaries for your life. These are meant to enhance your life, not hinder it. (Start with the 10 Commandments—these are great boundaries set to keep us free—But if we go outside the 10 Commandments we will eventually get stung)
Look how far you have come! The difficulties that you have endured and overcome have instructed you and driven you to find Jesus in a more meaningful and concrete way.
Thank You Jesus for the difficulties I have gone through in my life, to get me to Know and Trust You more. Forgive me of my sins Jesus. Thank You for hearing me and for calling me (a sinner)—Your “Masterpiece” (Eph. 2:10) Thank You for the Freedom to manage what You have entrusted to me and Your Boundaries(10 Commandments) to protect me from evil. Amen