Belief Without Boundaries

All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. 2Timothy 3:16-17 (NKJV)

I often here folks talk about being “God-fearing.” They will use this statement to indicate they “believe in God,” or how they are deeply religious. As I thought about it, I begin to wonder exactly what this statement really should mean to us. I had to ask myself these questions, and I believe we must all be willing to reconcile within our own minds as to how we would answer them.

Q: Am I really God-fearing, or do I simply suffer from Intellectual assent? Do I have a deep conviction for abiding in God’s will, or do I simply come in agreement with what the Bible teaches and then continue to do “My own thing?”

For me, to be God-fearing is in essence to be “God-respecting.” I believe if I truly respect God then I am going to be more inclined to want to please Him, and therefore I will have a desire to have an abiding relationship with Him, which includes applying His Word to my life.

Jesus told His disciples they were already clean because of the word He spoke to them (John 15:3), so they could be assured of their salvation was based on their belief and not their works. But Jesus also told them they would not be able to produce fruit (Righteous works) unless they continued to abide, or cling to Him (v. 5). He then assured them if they will keep His commandments they will abide in His love (v. 10).

As I see it—through the eyes of Scripture—we should have the heart to want to abide in God and in His Word. We cannot truly say we believe and then proceed to tear down the boundaries set forth by His Word and continue to be doing whatever we feel like doing when it is in contrast to His teachings. To say this is a God-fearing way to live is a lie, and it is simply a manmade belief without boundaries—it is the absence of true love.

"He who does not love Me does not keep My words; and the word which you hear is not Mine but the Father’s who sent Me." John 14:24 (NKJV)

I want to encourage you today to meditate upon these things. Let’s resolve to keep healthy boundaries in our life, and allow our actions to be governed by these boundaries. Let’s make God’s Word the basis for every boundary we set.

STUDY QUESTION: According to John 14:24 what did Jesus would be a byproduct of those who really don’t love Him?

PERSONAL INVENTORY: If your heart set on obey, honoring, and respecting God and His Word?

APPLICATION: Let’s choose to seek the counsel of God’s Word to guide us through every decision we make.