Healthy Boundaries
The last few weeks have been exhausting to say the least. Events and decisions in America have been so polarizing lately. Sometimes it is hard to even want to hear another word about all of the controversy. But we must remember that important subjects are going to cause opinionated discussions. We are not just talking about freedoms and rights in America. We are dealing with issues that are going to determine where people are going to spend eternity.
I don’t know about you, but lately I have been considering the level of my association with some people who in the past I have considered friends. Many people I am acquainted with have been very vocal in their support of things that the Bible clearly condemns. What am I supposed to do about that?
The biggest problem is that I cannot have an open and intelligent discussion with some of them about what God’s word says because they will not accept it as authority. They would rather cower to social pressure and the political agenda, and they refuse to call what is right, right and what is wrong, wrong. It makes it very hard to move forward in any kind of relationship with anyone who has their mind made up and refuses to be shaped by the holy word of God.
Jesus told his disciples, “Now whatever city or town you enter, inquire who in it is worthy, and stay there till you go out. And when you go into a household, greet it. If the household is worthy, let your peace come upon it. But if it is not worthy, let your peace return to you. And whoever will not receive you nor hear your words, when you depart from that house or city, shake off the dust from your feet. Assuredly, I say to you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city!” (Matthew 10:11-15).
It is purely ironic that as per the present hour in our world certain cities are mentioned here. But what is Jesus saying? He is reminding His followers that there are going to be times when we cannot get through to people with the truth. If we have made an honest effort and the truth is not received, we need to move on. I must first love people enough to have tough discussions which may bring about some soul searching and needed changes. Once that talk has taken place, if people fail to respect the authority of the written word of God, I need to travel along and let them go.
Christians are to be separate from the world. They have, by the grace of God, been set upon a rock. Christ did not die on a cross so that our faith would waver every time a political or spiritual controversy comes along. When struggles do arise we need to be engaged in profitable conversations. And if need be, we must choose to walk away from any relationship that would weaken our faith or cause us to be entangled in the cares of this life.
Setting proper boundaries in our relationships with others will promote health for us spiritually and keep us on the narrow path that leads to heaven. We need help and guidance from our God to make those necessary and wise decisions. It is my prayer that He will help us to know when to stay in the house one more night, and when to shake the dust off our feet and move on.
“And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever?” 2 Cor. 6:15
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