Bending the Rules: Ancient Boundary Stones

Bending the rules... it's O.K. right? every now and then? 

"Oh just this one time.. it's no big deal."  "There's way worse things.." "At least I'm not______" or "I'm not as bad as so-and-so."

"Do not move the ancient landmark
that your fathers have set."

Proverbs 22:28 

Oh the lies we tell ourselves.  Adam and Eve   (http://www.gnpcb.org/esv/search/?q=Genesis+3) bent the rules "just once".. just ONE apple and look where it got them... look at the bondage it brought to humankind.  Look at the SLAVERY it caused.  The pain, the suffering, the exponential procreation of multiple sins which continued into the lineage of humankind for many generations and are the seeds of your and my spiritual lineage and sins today.

Romans 5:12-14
"Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned—  for sin indeed was in the world before the law was given, but sin is not counted where there is no law. Yet death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over those whose sinning was not like the transgression of Adam, who was a type of the one who was to come."

 So next time you think "oh just this one time won't hurt"... reconsider.  According to Beth Moore, sin breeds more sin, which leads to bondage and captivity, which in turn leads to even more sin.  A vicious cycle that lasts years and is passed on generation to generation.  Your sins and bondage do not affect only you, but those around and your offspring. (Not to cast blame) but think about the issues your parents & grandparents struggled with.  How have they affected you?  Do you struggle in a similar way?
Take alcoholism or abuse for example; it affects families. A few times of getting drunk often leads to other sins and more drinking.  Then we are left empty and hurting from the destruction getting drunk just a "few times" has caused.  God knows that breads pain and sin-- that's why He sets those limits-- because like a good Father, HE LOVES YOU and wants to best for you. He knows the pain and suffering that sin breeds- as well as the bondage that sin cause.  "Do not give the devil a foothold."  (Ephesians 4:27).  A good father sets boundaries out of LOVE.

GOD'S WORD® Translation (©1995)
"The Lord disciplines everyone he loves. He severely disciplines everyone he accepts as his child."(Hebrews 12:6)

According to Scripture and Beth Moore's, Breaking Free, the Ancient Boundary Stones were fences that God put into place to help us from "crossing the line."  They are limits, that in fact like a good parent places for their children, prevent us from harm (sin), pain (sin), and suffering (sin).  According to Moore, the "Ten Commandments" are the ultimate boundary stone.  We are NOT free to pick and chose or to move them around to fit the lifestyle "we desire."  Moving them, "bending" or breaking the "rules," "limits".. whatever you would like to call them is NOT okay and leads to bondage-- then to more sin.. (you get the picture).  

If you are anything like me you have moved, abused, bent, broken, and ignored many of God's commandments.  I have often overlooked "small" transgressions as "harmless"  or "not that big of a deal." " So what if I lie this one time.. it's not like I am committing murder"... "I don't really need to obey/respect  my parents all the time-- they are just people." "... I'm forgiven.. I'm under grace." 

HOW WRONG THAT IS!!!!!!

I do/have bent the rules to fit what I WANT, to fit me.  To do/get what I want.  Well when I take a look at my past 21 years of my life, I see where "bending" a few rules has gotten me. ... Ultimately it leads to our our destruction, bondage and pain.  I have trampled the Cross and how sorry I am for that. 
Is/was it worth it?  
Absolutely NOT. 
Yes we are under grace and experience Christ's mercies if we have accepted Him into our lives as our LORD and Savior, but here's the thing-- we all want a Savior "oh Save me.." blah blah let's get over ourselves... Christ must be LORD of our lives to be our Savior.  and if He is our LORD then we will keep His commandments to the best of our ability and flee from sin.  

Here's how Webster defines "lord":

¹lord

noun \ˈlȯrd\

Definition of LORD

1one having power and authority over others: a : a ruler by hereditary right or preeminence to whom service and obedience are due 

2 capitalized a : God 1 b : Jesus

(Webster even recognizes that Jesus is Lord!) Is He really your the Lord of your life?????

When we bend "just one" of God's standards we are minimizing sin, by minimizing our sin we are disgracing and trampling the Cross.  We are saying "oh Jesus Save me" (which He already has) yet we are forgoing our part--- OBEDIENCE. and continuing to commit the very sins that took His life!

"15If you love Me, you will keep My commandments." John 14

Accepting Christ as your Lord and Savior really is as simple as asking Him to forgive you of your sins and to take control of your life, however we are called to uphold the ancient boundary stones.  And although we are "justified by faith" and no longer under law (Romans 8), we still must obey the boundary stones.  They are for our own good.  

Moving them; bending them; "modifying" them to fit us, leads to painful bondage and the exponential growth of sin in our lives.  I have seen it in my own life.  I am so guilty of modifying Christ's commandments and I have felt the pain, experienced the bondage & seen the destruction of sin.  Have you? I pray that you don't.  That you keep the boundary stones. According to Moore, "even a thin chain can strangle the life out of you."  Chew on that for a while.. I am. 

  I desire so desperately to be Free, which is possible through Christ.  Do you?  It starts with breaking the chains and moving back the Ancient Boundary Stones where they belong.

"Dear Lord, inscribe your commandments into my heart.  Help me replace the ancient boundary stones into my life.  Grant me healing from the transgressions of my past.  I cannot do it without you.  Free me and teach me to walk worthy.  In Your name I pray, Amen."