Sierra Vista Community Church
You Make Me Crazy
Part 4
Proverbs 4:23 HCSB
Boundaries Take A Balance of Two Elements:
1. Grace. “Based on the gift each one has received, use it to serve others, as good managers of the varied grace of God.” (1 Peter 4:10)
2. Truth. “And be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving one another, just as God also forgave you in Christ.” (Ephesians 4:32)
Crazy Out-of-Balance Relationships:
• No control: “Let us walk with decency, as in the daylight: not in carousing and drunkenness; not in sexual impurity and promiscuity; not in quarreling and jealousy.” (Romans 13:13)
• Too controlling: “Christ has liberated us to be free. Stand firm then and don’t submit again to a yoke of slavery.” (Galatians 5:1)
Setting Balanced Boundaries In Your Relationships:
• Love them, but don’t rescue them. “Carry one another’s burdens; in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ … For each person will have to carry his own load.” (Galatians 6:2 & 5)
• Confront them in love when needed. “If your brother sins against you, go and rebuke him in private. If he listens to you, you have won your brother.” (Matthew 18:15)
Skills Needed To Maintain Boundaries In Your Relationships:
• Start with love. “I give you a new command: Love one another. Just as I have loved you, you must also love one another.” (John 13:34)
• Say no, when it’s the best thing to say. “But let your word ‘yes’ be ‘yes,’ and your ‘no’ be ‘no.’ Anything more than this is from the evil one.” (Matthew 5:37)
• Don’t rescue them from inevitable helpful consequences. “A person with great anger bears the penalty; if you rescue him, you’ll have to do it again.” (Proverbs 19:19)
• Aim for restoration and a great relationship. “Finally, brothers, rejoice. Aim for restoration, comfort one another, agree with one another, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you.” (2 Corinthians 13:11) [ESV]