Boundaries

"Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night. That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither— whatever they do prospers." - Psalm 1:1-3

Do you have boundaries in your life. I am certain you do. Things that you will not participate in, indulge in, paths that you fear to tread because you know where the path leads which is to regret and sorrow. I wrote the other day about Jesus - friend of sinners. Being insulated but not isolated from the affairs of this world. 

Notice that the reason the person in Psalm 1 did not sit, walk or stand in the way of sinners - which was our way at one time in our lives - is that he or she meditated on the word of God. Reading the signs of you will. "This is the Way! Walk in it!"

You may be familiar with a book by Watchman Nee entitled "Sit, Walk Stand" He did not write about Psalm 1 but about the Book of Ephesians - and yet he did. The following is an excerpt from a review I came across in the internet.

"Using the book of Ephesians, Watchman Nee—a revered and fascinating Chinese pastor from the mid-twentieth century (who died in prison for his religious beliefs)—breaks down the oft-confusing idea of both being saved by grace and being asked to lead a righteous life. In concise and straight-forward language punctuated very occasionally by a story, Nee says we are first to rest (sit) in our position in Christ, then as a natural outflowing, walk the kingdom life, and then lastly, to stand in Christ’s name against evil. Walking and standing can only flow out of sitting. One will flow into the other. All of them are powered by God and have their end in His glory." - Devon Trevarrow Flaherty / September 9, 2020

"Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go." - Joshua 1:7-9

The Bible establishes spiritual boundaries that we should not cross. If we do it is sin. You can try to rationalize it, minimize it, ignore it, or try to redefine the boundaries.  But no matter how we reshape it, it is still sin. 

"If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them." - James 4:17

I am not making this up. Staying on God's side of the boundaries requires spiritual strength not human determination to be good. I am not trying to shame you or discourage you but to encourage you to look to the hills.

"I lift up my eyes to the mountains—where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord.  The Maker of heaven and earth. He will not let your foot slip— he who watches over you will not slumber; indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. The Lord watches over you—the Lord is your shade at your right hand" - Psalm 121:1-5

Think about it – Pray about it – Believe it – Walk in it. Let your light shine and give God the glory. 

By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone