Rules and Boundaries

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I remember, several years ago, a football match that had been arranged involving twenty-two young boys aged 8 years at the time. A friend of mine was going to referee. Unfortunately, he had not turned up by the time the game was scheduled to start. The boys could wait no longer. I was press-ganged into being the substitute referee. But I had no whistle, there were no markings for the boundaries of the pitch and I did not know the rules nearly as well as some of the boys.

The game soon descended into complete chaos. Some shouted that the ball was in. others said that it was out. I wasn’t at all sure, so let things run. Then the fouls started. Some cried, ‘foul.’ Others said, ‘no foul.’ I didn’t know who was right. So I let them play on. Then people began to get hurt. By the time my friend (the referee) arrived, there were three boys lying ‘injured’ on the ground and all the rest were shouting, mainly at me.

But the moment the referee arrived, he blew his whistle, arranged the teams, told them where the boundaries were and had them under complete control. The boys then enjoyed a great game of football.

Gods ‘rules’ are his boundaries for life, given out of his love for us. His boundaries are not designed to restrict our freedom but rather to give us freedom. Like the rules of football, they do not stop the enjoyment of the game. Rather, they enable the game of life to be enjoyed to the full.

  • Question of

    Why are the boundaries very important in any game?

    • They give the players more freedom to play
    • They ensured that the players are under complete control
    • Boundaries have no significance in any game
  • Question of

    The football rules brought more freedom to the boys because

    • They much preferred it when the game was played according to the rules
    • The boys were being monitored by the referee
    • None of the boys was injured during the game
  • Question of

    What could have happened without any effective authority?

    • The boys could do exactly what they wanted
    • Cheerers could be confused and hurt
    • No game rules could have been broken
  • Question of

    Why football rules?

    • There is no game without rules
    • They are designed to enable the game to be enjoyed to the full
    • The rules are designed to take away the fun of the game
  • Question of

    In which way do Gods ‘rules’ become his boundaries for life?

    • They limit our interactions here on earth
    • They are given out of His love for us
    • They give us more freedom in life
  • Question of

    What is the purpose of Gods ‘rules’ in our life?

    • They regulate what we do
    • To restrict our freedom in life
    • They enable the game of life to be enjoyed to the full
  • Question of

    God does not invite us to follow his laws; He commands, why? Because

    • Life is a mystery and only God’s commands can work
    • These are commands of love designed to ensure justice, peace and fullness of life
    • Without commands we (humans) can’t obey
  • Question of

    God’s commands bring wisdom and wisdom should be our intimate friend, why? Because

    • It brings insight and keep us out of trouble
    • It builds boundaries between man and God
    • Without wisdom there is no friendship

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Written by Bro Jeff

25 Comments

  7. Amen! Far too often, I hear people say that they can’t do what God wants because it is too restrictive. The problem is that what God wants is for people to not only live, He “wants” us to live abundantly. By saying that the will of God is too restrictive, they are saying that they don’t want to live abundantly (which means above the normal…he wants us to live in an extraordinary way).

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