Boundaries Are Instructive

So, we’ve talked about how Boundaries are Imperative and Protective. Now let’s look at how they are Instructive. Again, this is just another angle, another perspective of looking at boundaries. Let’s start by defining what the word ‘instructive’ means. Webster’s 1828 Dictionary says, “Conveying knowledge; serving to instruct or inform.” Boundaries, then, are conveying to you, knowledge. Their purpose is to inform you and instruct you. They are actually serving you! And they serve you well when you follow them! As the above verse says, “Hear instruction, and be wise, and refuse it not.” Don’t refuse the boundaries laid for you, that is being foolish. Being wise is heeding them!

Boundaries are essential because they are the very framework that make up “right” and “wrong.” Boundaries define what is right and what is wrong. This is how they are instructing us! 1 Corinthians 14:40 says, “Let all things be done decently and in order.” Without rules and guidelines, without boundaries, there can be no order. Just like in volleyball—again using this analogy—we have a referee who calls out mistakes and brings order to the game.

Webster’s defines ‘referee’ as, “One to whom a thing is referred; particularly, a person appointed by a court to hear, examine and decide a cause between parties, pending before the court, and make report to the court.” In our case, a volleyball court, ha ha!There has to be a baseline to start from or else nobody would ever end up playing because no one can ever agree on whether the ball was actually out or right on the line, did she step over the serving line or not, did she slap the ball instead of setting it, did she cross the net line when she blocked, etc. When there’s a question, the ref is the one who makes the final call. There’s a boundary for the boundaries so there can be order, so there can be peace.

The world is screaming for a sense of security, a sense of peace in their soul that they will never find apart from God’s clear commands in Scripture. Only God can fill that void. But so many don’t want to have to submit and humble themselves so they seek to find another way outside of the boundaries of God’s Word. They will never find it though. True freedom, true peace is found within the boundaries God has clearly laid.

So, let’s conclude by a quick review of all we have talked about in these last three articles on Boundaries.

1. Boundaries are Imperative—we absolutely need them; we have no purpose without them.
2. Boundaries are Protective—they are given to keep us safe; they keep us from destroying ourselves.
3. Boundaries are Instructive—they define what is right and wrong; they bring peace and order.

John 8:32 says, “And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”

“True freedom has to recognize boundaries!” (Quote from Eve in Exile by Rebekah Merkle)