Boundaries for One Another

1 Thessalonians 5:1–11 NIV84

1 Now, brothers, about times and dates we do not need to write to you, 2 for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. 3 While people are saying, “Peace and safety,” destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. 4 But you, brothers, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief. 5 You are all sons of the light and sons of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness. 6 So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be alert and self-controlled. 7 For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, get drunk at night. 8 But since we belong to the day, let us be self-controlled, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet. 9 For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. 10 He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him. 11 Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.

Outer Circle - Acquaintances: These are people you may know by name or see on a regular basis, but you don't have a close personal relationship with them.

Circle 7 - Colleagues and Casual Friends: These are individuals you interact with more frequently, such as coworkers or classmates. You might share common interests or activities, but the relationship is not deeply personal.

Circle 6 - Friends: These are people you choose to share a deeper connection with. You appreciate their company, share personal experiences, and have mutual respect and understanding.

Circle 5 - Close Friends: These are individuals you choose to trust and feel comfortable sharing personal details and emotions with.

Circle 4 - Lifelong or Best Friends: These are individuals you trust implicitly. They are like family. You share your life, dreams, and darkest fears with them.

Circle 3 - Family: These are your relatives, including grandparents, uncles, aunts, cousins, and extended family members. You have a deep bond with them because of your shared history and experiences.

Circle 2 - Immediate Family: These are your closest family members, such as your parents, siblings, or children. You have strong emotional ties and a deep sense of responsibility towards them.

Inner Circle - Marriage: This is your life partner, the person you've chosen to share your life with. You have made a commitment to face all of life's challenges together.

As you move through these circles, remember the words of 1 Thessalonians 5:11: "Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing."

1. The Boundary of Respecting Personal Space

1 Peter 4:8 “8 Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.”

Respecting another person's boundaries reflects our love for them

Sub Point 1.1: Practice brotherly love

Love each other with genuine affection and take delight in honoring each other

Romans 12:10 “10 Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves.”

Sub Point 1.2: Practice patience with one another

Be humble, gentle, and patient, bearing with one another in love

Ephesians 4:2 “2 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.”

Sub Point 1.3: Practice love with one another

Love is patient, kind, and does not insist on its own way

1 Corinthians 13:4–7 “4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.”

2. The Boundary of Speaking Truth in Love

Ephesians 4:15 “15 Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ.”

Speaking truth in love helps us grow in every way into Christ

Don’t be rude and call it truth in love

Sub-point 2.1: Be a builder of people

As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend

Proverbs 27:17 “17 As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.”

Sub-point 2.2: Think before you speak

Thoughtless words can wound as deeply as any sword, but wisely spoken words can heal

Proverbs 12:18 “18 Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.”

Sub-point 2.3: There’s a reason God gave us 2 ears one mouth

Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry

James 1:19 “19 My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry,”

3. The Boundary of Mutual Submission

Ephesians 5:21 “21 Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.”

Sub-point 3.1: Don’t be selfish

Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves

Philippians 2:3–4 “3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. 4 Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.”

Sub-point 3.2: Don’t use your freedom to indulge in sin

You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love

Galatians 5:13 “13 You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love.”

Sub-point 3.3: Be humble with one another

All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another

1 Peter 5:5 “5 Young men, in the same way be submissive to those who are older. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.””

4. The Boundary of Encouraging One Another

1 Thessalonians 5:11 “11 Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.”

Sub-point 4.1: Spur one another to love and good works

Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds

Hebrews 10:24–25 “24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. 25 Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”

Sub-point 4.2: Words matter

Proverbs 15:23 “23 A man finds joy in giving an apt reply— and how good is a timely word!”

Sub-point 4.3: Find a way to encourage and build one another

Gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body

Proverbs 16:24 “24 Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.”

Let us, therefore, establish healthy boundaries, speak truth in love, submit to each other, and encourage each other as we journey together in faith