Understanding Spiritual Boundaries in Christian Life

Posted on by korgrocker

“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.

The Light of Christ: Transforming Hearts and Lives

Posted on by korgrocker

“You see, we don’t go around preaching about ourselves. We preach that Jesus Christ is Lord, and we ourselves are your servants for Jesus’ sake. For God, who said, “Let there be light in the darkness,” has made this light shine in our hearts so we could know the glory of God that is seen in the face of Jesus Christ.”
2 Corinthians 4:5-6 NLT

Paul began our verses today with a low-key confession: “We don’t go around preaching about ourselves.” The culture in those days, much as it is today, was full of people obsessed with self‑promotion, personal branding, and presenting the perfect image, and Paul’s words feel almost countercultural. Implicit in his message was a reminder to the Corinthians that the Christian life wasn’t just a stage on which they performed to boost their personalities and achievements. The same message applies to us today. The message we carry is not our own greatness—it’s Christ’s lordship. This doesn’t mean our stories don’t matter. They do. God uses our testimonies, our journeys, our scars. But the purpose of sharing them is never to elevate ourselves. It’s to point to the One who heals, restores, and redeems. Paul’s humility wasn’t a weakness. It was clarity. He knew who the story was really about.

Paul continued: “We ourselves are your servants for Jesus’ sake”. This is a radical, countercultural statement, but it echoes what Jesus taught His disciples. We read in Matthew 20:25-28, “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. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many”. In Philippians 2:6-7, Paul wrote about Jesus, “Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being”. If only we could get our minds around the enormity of what Jesus did, leaving the comforts of Heaven behind, and restricting Himself in a human body, being a servant and slave for the sake of our salvation. Even though Jesus was God, he chose not to use His divinity in His earthly ministry so that He could walk and talk with His generation as one of them. In fact, He was so much human that the religious leaders of His day accused Him of blasphemy when He spoke the truth about being God. In the kingdom of God, greatness is measured not by how many people serve you, but by how many people you serve. We pilgrims put others before ourselves. We give without expecting a return. We love without demanding recognition. This kind of servanthood is not natural. It’s supernatural. It flows from a heart that has been transformed by Christ’s own humility. 

“The glory of God that is seen
in the face of Jesus Christ”

Paul continued with a reference to the Genesis account, “Let there be light”. We read it in Genesis 1:3, “Then God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light”. Was it a big leap from writing about preaching to then referring to the creation story? It may be that we don’t understand the power of God that exists in the Good News about Jesus. The God of creation who spoke light into effect can surely speak into the hearts and minds of human beings with the tremendous message of grace and hope. Paul continued that God “made this light shine in our hearts so we could know the glory of God that is seen in the face of Jesus Christ”. Light in the world provided by the heavenly bodies is as nothing compared with the Light that illuminates our hearts and minds. But it gets better. The glory of God is not found in anything created. It is only found “in the face of Jesus Christ”. When God shines His light into our hearts, He is giving us the ability to see Jesus for who He truly is.

So we pilgrims do not promote ourselves, because the message we carry is all about Jesus. John the Baptist said, “He must become greater and greater, and I must become less and less” (John 3:30). John “got it” because he went on to say to his disciples, “And anyone who believes in God’s Son has eternal life. Anyone who doesn’t obey the Son will never experience eternal life but remains under God’s angry judgment” (John 3:36). Our message is so important, and we have to present it in a way that exalts Jesus, and Him alone. We love Him. We worship Him. And we tell our friends and families about Him. One day we will truly see “God … in the face of Jesus Christ”.

Dear Lord Jesus. We look forward with eager anticipation to the day when we will see You face to face. As the Gaithers used to sing, “What a day that will be”. We worship You, Lord. Amen.