01/14/2008 - 01/14/2008

Crossing the line

When I was working at Redeemer University College I remember attending a student forum on the subject matter of dating and physical intimacy. The constant theme that kept coming up in the discussion had to with what were the appropriate boundaries for physical intimacy in a dating relationship. But I think the truth of the matter in the discussion came down to the question, "How far is too far for a Christian?"

"How far is too far for a Christian?"

While the asker of such a question might very well be trying hold fast to his or her Christian values, the reality of such a question is actually that a person is trying to "snuggle" up to an invisible Christian line. The question suggests that one wants to know how much they can get away with before it's called "sin." People do this all the time (Christians included), see how much they can get away with or how little they can get away with.

In Luke 10, Jesus tells the parable of the caring Samaritan in response to a similar question when a lawyer asks what he must do to inherit eternal life. Jesus says, "Love God and Neighbour." The lawyer then wants to know then who is neighbour is...

...do you hear the same question of "How far is too far or how far is far enough?"

I raise this because I wonder if we should spend less time trying to see how to "snuggle" up to invisible Christian lines but rather live comfortably by steering clear from such lines. This comes in many areas:

Work - Are you trying to do as little as possible, or are you trying to prove yourself?

Parenting - Are you trying to do as little as possible or are you stifling your children with inappropriate discipline (you can't "will" your child into the perfect mold)?

Friendship - Are you giving of who you are in friendships or are you abusing someone else's trust?

Pleasures - Are you drinking alcohol and allowing yourself to lose control so you no longer know what a line even is?

Etc.

The lines are not always easy, but far too often we "snuggle" up to lines trying to get away with too little or trying to justify ourselves with too much. As Christians, each day we live within the tension of trying to live "in view of God’s mercy, to offer (our) bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is (our) spiritual act of worship. (We are not to) conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then (we) will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will." Romans 12:1-2