A Line in the Sand

Flood Zone Recap
March 4, 2007

A Line in the Sand: A challenge, a warning, a boundary.

The question "how far is too far" has recently been asked by a student of H2O. In response to that question, I have to ask, "with what?" I assume the thought is "how far is too far with my girlfriend or boyfriend," but I think that is too narrow a scope to completely answer the question "how far is too far."

Every action and attitude in our life has the potential to cross the line into sinfulness. Anger, discouragement, language, dress, drinking, diet, sarcasm, and apathy are just a few examples of things we can go "too far" in. At least theoretically.

When it comes to our culture, though, there really is no definite line anymore regarding these actions and attitudes. One group may draw the line in one place (say, yelling at someone and calling them derogatory names) while another group draw's the line another place (like at actually hitting someone). One thing is consistent with most of these groups. As society draws closer and closer to crossing the line as a whole, the line gets moved "to accomodate the beliefs of the times." There is not definite line when it comes to how far is too far with our actions and attitudes in culture. The line can be moved at will because it is not founded on anything definite.

In the Christian life, however, there is a definite line between sinfulness and holiness when it comes to our actions and attitudes. We could write pages and pages of commentary on each action and attitude, but I think a basic foundation for discovering actions and attitudes that have crossed the line is a good starting point.

Let me start by saying this. If you are looking for the line just so you can get as close as possible to it without crossing it into sinfulness, you have already crossed it a long time ago. Your heart is one that does not desire holiness, but "just enough" of God. And, the closer you get to the line, the harder it is going to be not to cross over it. So, let's see how we can examine our own actions and attitudes to determine if they are sinful.

5 Questions to Examine my Actions and Attitudes:

1. Does my action or attitude violate the clear teaching of scripture? 2 Timothy 3:15-17

2. Does my action or attitude destroy any part of my body as the temple of the holy spirit (physically, mentally, or spiritually)? 1 Corinthians 6:19-20

3. Does my action or attitude keep a weaker believer or a non-believer from coming closer to Christ? 1 Corinthians 8:8-13

4. Does my action or attitude go against the direciton of an authority in my life (teacher, pastor, parent, government)? Ephesians 6:5-10; Romans 13:1-7

5. Does my action or attitude glorify God? (Can God be asked to bless my action or attitude with a clear-conscience?) 1 Corinthians 10:31

So, what about you? What actions and attitudes are God calling you to repent of and turn from? What areas of your life have you filtered scripture through, throwing out the parts that don't fit how you want to live your life? What parts of your life do you need to filter through Scripture, throwing out the parts that don't match up with God's best for you?

You have the tools, now ask the question, have I gone too far?