“We will not boast about things done outside our area of authority. We will boast only about what has happened within the boundaries of the work God has given us, which includes our working with you. We are not reaching beyond these boundaries when we claim authority over you, as if we had never visited you. For we were the first to travel all the way to Corinth with the Good News of Christ.”
2 Corinthians 10:13-14 NLT
As Christians, what do we pilgrims think about boundaries, the areas of authority that we believe we have? In a worldly sense, we know that there are many things that we can’t, or shouldn’t do, things such as burgle someone’s house or other property. Things such as pretending to be someone we aren’t, such as a Police Officer, or a doctor (unless we’re qualified as such, of course). Most people can’t fly a plane, or would even want to, come to that. Some people find boundaries because of their physical limitations, such as Nick Vujicic, who has no arms or legs. Or a blind man unable to see a sunset or a painting of beauty. Human beings have many limitations that form boundaries in their lives. We know all of that, and we don’t fret about it because we accept where we are at.
But what about spiritual boundaries? Paul was very sure about his “area of authority”, which he defined as “the work God has given [him], which includes [his] working with” the Corinthians. Are we similarly sure of where there are limitations to the work we should be doing? Having said that, there are many Christians, I fear, who don’t do any work at all! But as followers of Christ, there is a “sweet spot” of service to Him, where we know and understand exactly what our individual mission in life is, within the boundaries tailor-made just for us. Perhaps we should start with the Great Commission, which we find in Matthew 28:19-20, “Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age”. This is a “work God has given us” and is the responsibility of every Christian, not just the minister or pastor, or the evangelist on the church leadership team. So in our sphere of family, friends, and community, we are authorised to make disciples.
In the episode of Peter and John healing the lame man at the Temple gate, we read the time-honoured words, “But Peter said, “I don’t have any silver or gold for you. But I’ll give you what I have. In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, get up and walk!”” (Acts 3:6). Peter also said about Jesus, “He is the one all the prophets testified about, saying that everyone who believes in him will have their sins forgiven through his name” (Acts 10:43). The name of Jesus implies that with it we are invoking His authority. John 14:13, “You can ask for anything in my name, and I will do it, so that the Son can bring glory to the Father”. We know, of course, that using the name of Jesus will only be effective if it aligns with His will and purposes. If Jesus wants something to happen, then we are authorised to use His name to fulfil His will. In the story of the Centurion with a sick servant, we read about Christ’s authority being understood by a Gentile with faith. “But the officer said, “Lord, I am not worthy to have you come into my home. Just say the word from where you are, and my servant will be healed. I know this because I am under the authority of my superior officers, and I have authority over my soldiers. I only need to say, ‘Go,’ and they go, or ‘Come,’ and they come. And if I say to my slaves, ‘Do this,’ they do it”” (Matthew 8:8-9). We have that authority as well, as pilgrims faithfully following our Master.
Another area of authority is that we are Christ’s ambassadors. 2 Corinthians 5:20, “So we are Christ’s ambassadors; God is making his appeal through us. We speak for Christ when we plead, “Come back to God””. An ambassador is someone who represents their country when they are sent to another. There, they look after the affairs of their country in dealings with foreign countries, and in particular the interests of their fellow citizens. We pilgrims are ambassadors for the Kingdom of God, and we are assigned to represent the interests of this Kingdom in the worldly nation of which we are a part. So I am Christ’s ambassador to the part of Scotland where I live, and it is here that I represent Christ in all my dealings with the people around me. As we read through the Bible, we soon find out how we should behave as ambassadors for Christ. Ephesians 4:21-24, “Since you have heard about Jesus and have learned the truth that comes from him, throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy”. Ambassadors for Christ are led by the Holy Spirit in all that they do, empowered by communication directly with God, much like the way an earthly ambassador can receive instructions from his or her mother nation.
Our boundaries are also based on servanthood. “But Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers in this world Lord it over their people, and officials flaunt their authority over those under them. But among you it will be different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first among you must become your slave” (Matthew 20:25-27). In humility and with the same attitude Jesus had, we serve our fellow believers and those around us. We do not aspire to a position of authority, because it is only Christ who appoints such a person. Any worldly appointments are of no consequence to those in God’s family.
Dear Father God. As Your children, we are Your ambassadors in this world around us. Please help us to realise our boundaries, in what we can and cannot do, so that we can be effective in all that we do. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Being a Pilgrim 