To live without boundaries is generally not good and some truly struggle with understanding boundaries in their interactions with others. There are those who say what they ought not to the hurt of others, and those who do what they ought not as well. Such have a mind that either ignores or simply does not understand personal boundaries. However, do we have a mindset that limits what God desires and is able to do in and through us?
As a persecutor of the church, Saul (later called Paul) was ready to go the distance; even to Damascus to arrest Jews who had turned from Judaism to Christ and bring them bound to Jerusalem. (Acts 9:1-2) When later recounting his conversion before Governor Festus and King Agrippa, he acknowledged himself how he had gone to foreign cities to persecute Christians. (Acts 26:11) In his zeal, Saul had set no boundaries for what he felt bound to do!
However, as Saul was bound for Damascus — being on the road to it — he saw the light both literally and spiritually; gaining his attention for a dynamic turn in the direction and mission of his life. (Acts 9:3-22) In doing so, Saul himself became a target of the Jews. (Acts 9:23) Nevertheless, the zeal he had possessed in persecuting wherever he went was the same zeal with which he ended up preaching the Gospel of Jesus wherever he went! Even in Jerusalem where he had planned to bring back persecuted Christians, he taught boldly of the Christ (Acts 9:28) and then on from there to places far and wide. Such a purpose was even revealed to Ananias (Acts 9:15-16) when he was sent to meet Saul when in Damascus.
In writing to the church at Corinth where he had spent a year and a half (Acts 18:11), Paul stated. . .
“(14) For we are not overextending ourselves, as though we did not reach you. For we were the first to come all the way to you with the gospel of Christ. (15) We do not boast beyond limit in the labors of others. But our hope is that as your faith increases, our area of influence among you may be greatly enlarged, (16) so that we may preach the gospel in lands beyond you, without boasting of work already done in another’s area of influence.” (2 Corinthians 10:14-16 ESV)
Paul humbly desired to go where others had not. When he was eventually arrested in Jerusalem (Acts 21) and then taken to Caesarea (Acts 23-24) and ultimately to Rome where he was placed under house arrest (Acts 28:14-15), his intent had been to reach even Spain (Romans 15:24-28), though it appears he did not make it there. Still, what we see, even as a prisoner in Rome, his sharing of the Gospel of Jesus did not stop! (Acts 28:30-31) Though bound by chains (Acts 28:20), the message was not bound (2 Timothy 2:9) and so Paul continued to proclaim the faith.
To believe in Jesus and so be devoted to Him as the way and the truth and the life (John 14:6) ought to compel us also to share the good news of Him wherever we are and wherever we go. No limits! As each of us who believe do our part, the world continues to be reached as the boundary of the Lord’s kingdom encompasses one-byone the hearts of others. May we remain mindful of sharing the good news of Jesus as we go wherever life’s journey takes us!
Have a great day BEING AN INFLUENCE FOR CHRIST WHEREVER WE ARE!
Carl
