How Biblical Boundaries Put God in Control

If you’ve been with us for the past 5 weeks, we’ve been working our way through a series on Biblical boundaries. We’ve learned a lot! Today, we’re finally going to wrap this series up with a quick reminder of who’s in control. What it’s so easy to forget in the midst of all the chaos of life is that being obedient to God in this area (really in any area) allows us to step out of the way and Him to do His work. It puts God in control! But before we move forward, here’s what you may have missed: 

WEEK 1: Defining Boundaries – God’s Way
WEEK 2: 5 Principles of Healthy Boundaries we Learn from God.
WEEK 3: 5 More Principles of Biblical Boundaries we Learn from God.
WEEK 4: 5 Rules for Making Boundaries Clearly Laid Out in Scripture
WEEK 5: How Do I Set Biblical Boundaries? 5 Steps to Get You Started
WEEK 6: How Biblical Boundaries Put God in Control

WEEK 6: How Biblical Boundaries Put God in Control 

If you remember, when we started this series we talked about how God established boundaries right from the beginning. When he placed Adam in the garden of Eden He told him not to eat the fruit from the tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. He also told him the consequences – if you do, you will surely die.  

Of course, we all know how the story goes – Eve was deceived by Satan and ate the fruit and gave some to Adam who also ate the fruit. It’s possible the only reason Adam ate it was because he was afraid of being separated from her if he chose obedience when she did not. But let’s think about that possibility for a second. Do we really believe God wouldn’t have provided for Adam in that situation?

It seems obvious in that scenario that obedience would have resulted in provision and great reward. So why do we doubt our God will do the same for us? Why do we allow the fear of lost relationship, or a lack of provision to keep us from obedience?

The thing is, when God showed up in the Garden and asked what happened everyone started playing the blame game. Adam blamed Eve, and Eve blamed the serpent. But in verses 14-24 of the third chapter of Genesis God handed out consequences to each according to his or her own sin. It didn’t matter what anyone else had done. Adam was responsible for Adam, Eve was responsible for Eve, and Satan was responsible for Satan.

Afterward, God set up new boundaries. Ones that kept people out of the garden forever in order to ensure they wouldn’t be able to eat the fruit from the tree of life and be stuck forever in a state of corruption and separation from Him. He began right then enacting a plan that would offer a way back into right relationship with Him forever. 

That is the God we serve my friends! A God of boundaries, but for one very important reason: To protect us – because He loves us.  

The system He has set up does not allow any of us to take on the responsibility for the sins of another. We are accountable only for our own actions. At the same time, in order to avoid being caught up in the sins of another, we absolutely must separate ourselves from them. We must be set apart for our Lord! 

Strong, healthy, Biblical boundaries stop the cycle of blaming others for our situations. They make the statement that we are taking responsibility for ourselves, and trusting God to take care of us. That we are choosing obedience, whether others choose to join us in that decision or not. 

Can we be resolved to do this, friends? Can we allow God to be in control? Can we leave our loved ones in His hands and allow Him to call them out of their sorrowful state and into His glorious light in His own way and in His own time? Do we trust Him enough to be obedient? 

Whatever control we’re trying to hang onto – it is an illusion! Let’s choose obedience! Let’s set and keep boundaries that bring honor to God.

Let’s be set apart.

Holy.

Let’s let God be in control!

And finally, let’s remember that if we’re still breathing, our story isn’t over yet. Just because it looks dark and hopeless today does not mean it will end that way! Let’s remain faithful and trust our tomorrows to HIM! 

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 – For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven. A time to be born and a time to die. A time to plant and a time to harvest. A time to kill and a time to heal. A time to tear down and a time to build up. A time to cry and a time to laugh. A time to grieve and a time to dance. A time to scatter stones and a time to gather stones. A time to embrace and a time to turn away. A time to search and a time to quit searching. A time to keep and a time to throw away. A time to tear and a time to mend. A time to be quiet and a time to speak. A time to love and a time to hate. A time for war and a time for peace. 

Heavenly Father,
We’re trusting YOU! Help us God to be obedient and to trust You wholly to take care of us and those we love. Remind us daily of Your unfailing love so that our confidence in You and Your sovereignty will grow. As we spend time searching Your Word for truth, Father, give us wisdom and understanding and the courage to obey. In Jesus’s Name, amen!

*How about you? Is it hard for you to trust God when it comes to setting boundaries? What are you afraid of? How have you seen Him work in the past that proves His faithfulness?

Did you know all the content in this series has been expanded into an interactive workbook full of questions and prompts to help you work through this issue in your own life? Click through the image below and get yours today!