Stay Within Your Boundaries

     Paul used a principle that I call our “measure of rule.”  We don’t live in boxes, but we are limited to our measure of rule or boundaries.  In the physical world a boundary is a property line.  It defines where you end and someone else begins, or where you end and something else begins.  Paul, whom I could safely call the most effective apostle in New Testament times, realized that he was not called to do everything.  He could not be everywhere or change the whole world by himself.  Although we each have a specific calling and vision, it is limited to the measure of rule God has distributed to us and the boundaries of our gifting. 

     Paul, in speaking of his apostolic ministry, says, “We shall not boast extravagantly but rather stay within the limit of the sphere which God has allotted to us” (II Corinthians 10:13 New Berkley Version).  Paul understood that God had given him a specific vision for ministry and specific places to impact.  

     We need to see our measure of rule in regard to both “visionary calling” and “boundaries.”  This can be clearly seen in Paul’s life.  Paul tells us that his distinct visionary calling was to minister to the Gentiles.  In Acts 28, when Paul was speaking of his “heavenly vision,” he says that Jesus specifically told him he was being sent to preach to the Gentiles.  This is further clarified in Galatians 2:7-9 when Paul, referring to his visit with the elders of the church in Jerusalem, says, “. . . seeing that I had been entrusted with the gospel to the uncircumcised (Gentiles), just as Peter had been to the circumcised (Jews) (for He who effectually worked for Peter in his apostleship to the circumcised effectually worked for me also to the Gentiles), and recognizing the grace that had been given to me . . . gave to me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship that we might go to the Gentiles, and they to the circumcised (Jews).”  (Emphasis mine.) 

     Paul was defining his calling and restricting it to what God called him to do within the grace of God upon his life. It does not mean that Paul did not do anything else because he did. We know that he went first to Jewish synagogues or gathering places anytime he entered a new place to expand the gospel. We also know that he put up a thorough defense of the gospel to the Jewish authorities in Jerusalem.  However, when it came to the big picture and keeping his priorities straight Paul stayed within the boundaries of his Gentile calling.  If you are an accountant you may be great at managing numbers, but that does not mean you can manage people well.  It is possible that you have a skill for both and as you discover your strengths and weaknesses it will help define your boundaries.

     We don’t want to be too rigid with boundaries, but they are very helpful in enabling us to accomplish our purpose in this life. Boundaries keep us from the distractions of all the lesser pulls taking us away from the main thing since they keep us in our sweet spot.  When you hit the golf ball in the sweet spot the ball stays in bounds, but miss that spot and you could waste some time looking for that little ball.  Let’s look at several things that boundaries do for us:

• Boundaries help us to define responsibility.
• Boundaries help us to define accountability.
• Boundaries help us focus our energy.
• Boundaries help us reject distractions.
• Boundaries help us see our part and do it.

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