Boundaries for Freedom

Galatians 5:1–10 NLT

1 So Christ has truly set us free. Now make sure that you stay free, and don’t get tied up again in slavery to the law. 2 Listen! I, Paul, tell you this: If you are counting on circumcision to make you right with God, then Christ will be of no benefit to you. 3 I’ll say it again. If you are trying to find favor with God by being circumcised, you must obey every regulation in the whole law of Moses. 4 For if you are trying to make yourselves right with God by keeping the law, you have been cut off from Christ! You have fallen away from God’s grace. 5 But we who live by the Spirit eagerly wait to receive by faith the righteousness God has promised to us. 6 For when we place our faith in Christ Jesus, there is no benefit in being circumcised or being uncircumcised. What is important is faith expressing itself in love. 7 You were running the race so well. Who has held you back from following the truth? 8 It certainly isn’t God, for he is the one who called you to freedom. 9 This false teaching is like a little yeast that spreads through the whole batch of dough! 10 I am trusting the Lord to keep you from believing false teachings. God will judge that person, whoever he is, who has been confusing you.

Establishing and maintaining boundaries is not easy but is beneficial and rewarding in the long run.

1. The Purpose of Boundaries for Freedom

A. Boundaries help you live as servants of God

1 Peter 2:16 “16 Live as free men, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as servants of God.”

B. Boundaries help you develop healthy relationship

Romans 14:12–13 “12 So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God. 13 Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in your brother’s way.”

Galatians 6:2 “2 Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.”

C. Boundaries help you with personal Integrity and Purity

Titus 2:11–12 “11 For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. 12 It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age,”

2. The consequences of not having Boundaries for Freedom

A. Without boundaries you can cause others to stumble

1 Corinthians 8:9 “9 Be careful, however, that the exercise of your freedom does not become a stumbling block to the weak.”

B. Without boundaries you can make the wrong choice in a spouse

(Samson in Judges 16)

2 Corinthians 6:14 “14 Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness?”

C. Without boundaries you will indulge the sinful nature

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.”

3. Setting boundaries requires discipline and self-control

A. Freedom through constraints

Colossians 4:6 “6 Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.”

B. Discipline to seek and follow God’s guidance

Proverbs 3:5–6 “5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; 6 in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.”

C. Self-control to communicate assertively but with 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.”

4. The Importance of maintaining Boundaries for Freedom

A. Maintaining your boundaries will help you Persevere

Hebrews 12:1 “1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.”

B. Maintaining your boundaries will help you Rely on His divine power

2 Corinthians 12:9 “9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.”

C. Maintaining your boundaries will help you experience miracles

Acts 2:42–47 “42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. 44 All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. 46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.”