Walking in Love

 Kids are notorious for pushing boundaries and testing limits.  It's what they do.  And it sort of makes sense, I guess.  They don't really know where the "line" truly is until they experiment with it.  This is actually a learning process for them.  Thus the incredible importance of setting those boundaries.  Typically, kids that grow up without rules never learn and go through life thinking everything is permissible.  And their lives become chaos for them and for society as a whole.

In many instances, today, our world is becoming more and more chaotic probably in part to the fact that less and less people are interested in following rules and keeping within the borders that have been drafted and traced for our own protection.  Yes, we have freedom and we certainly want it, after all, "it is for freedom that Christ has set us free!" (Galatians 5: 1).  In our freedom, however, we ought to recognize also what Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians 10: 23,

“I have the right to do anything,” you say—but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right to do anything"—but not everything is constructive.

In our freedom, then, as we seek our own good, we also must seek the good for others (1 Corinthians 10: 24).  Rules and boundaries exist so we respect and actively participate on pursuing what's good for everyone.  It's the rule of love, like 2 John 1: 6 says:

And this is love: that we walk in obedience to his commands. As you have heard from the beginning, his command is that you walk in love.

Walking in love ensures that we remain mindful of others, even those who are not particularly lovely to us.  After all, Jesus did say, Do to others as you would have them do to you. Luke 6: 31.  He didn't say do unto those you like...or unto those who are nice to you...He said "others" meaning, all others.  But if we don't walk in love and in obedience to His commands, or put into practice what we read in the Bible...it's chaos.  So, let's be different.  Let's obey rules and live with a sense of morality based on God's Word.  I believe that's where the blessings are.

Just like with kids, Our Heavenly Father has established the regulations and set borders for the benefit of all...so we can coexist...so we can have some structure in life.  He is not the God of chaos.  He is the God of order.  And order is in place for our own good.  This is a hard pill to swallow in this day and age...but the alternative does not present a successful outcome.

May the Holy Spirit help us walk on His way, the way of love.  May Your Word be the lamp to our feet and the light on our path.  May Your Word, sweeter than honey and your commandments give us the understanding we need to acknowledge the need for boundaries and rules.  In the Precious Name of Jesus.  Amen!