Vertrou op God en bly binne die grense

2024-08-01
Galasiërs 5:16 NLV

Daar is net genoeg ego en onafhanklikheid in ons dat ons dinge op ons eie manier wil doen. Dit hou aan om ons in die moeilikheid te kry. Paulus skryf: ‘…Laat julle leefstyl eerder deur die Gees bepaal word. Dan sal julle glad nie aan die begeertes van julle sondige geaardheid toegee nie. ‘n Mens se sondige geaardheid wil dinge doen wat teen die Gees is, en die Gees wil dinge doen wat teen jou sondige geaardheid is, want hulle is mekaar se vyande…’ (verse 16-17 NLV).

Wat is die sleutel tot oorwinning? Eerstens, steun meer op God en minder op jouself. Tweedens, stel grense in jou lewe. Dis hoekom dit so belangrik is om daagliks Bybel te lees. Dit hou jou in God se veilige sone deur vir jou te sê wat jy kan doen en wat jy eerder nie moet doen om veilig te bly nie.

Snelweë het lyne: een aan elke kant en een in die middel. Hierdie lyne gee vir ons grense vir ons veiligheid terwyl ons bestuur. As ons oor die lyn aan die een kant gaan, loop ons die risiko om in ‘n sloot te beland. As ons oor die lyn in die middel gaan, loop ons die risiko om deur aankomende verkeer getref te word. Ons waardeer daardie lyne, omdat hulle ons veilig hou.

Dieselfde geld in ons persoonlike lewe. Wanneer ons duidelik gemerkte grenslyne het, voel ons baie beter en ervaar ons God se vrede. Wanneer God vir ons sê om iets nie te doen nie, probeer Hy nie met ons naar wees nie. Hy probeer ons beskerm. Jy is deur die kosbare bloed van Jesus verlos, jy is kosbaar in sy oë en Hy wil net die beste vir jou hê.

Sielskos: Esra 6-8; Luk 10:13-24; Ps 78:9-16; Spr 19:24-26

Rely on God and stay within the boundary lines


Galatians 5:16 NIV

There is just enough ego and independence in us to want to do things our own way. And they keep getting us into trouble. Paul writes: “Walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other” (vv. 16-17 NIV). Note the words “the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit.”

What’s the key to victory? First, lean more on God and less on yourself. Second, establish boundaries in your life. That’s why daily Bible reading is so important. It keeps you in God’s safety zone by telling you what you can do and what you had better not do to be safe.

Highways have lines: one on each side and one in the center. These lines provide margins for our safety while we’re driving. If we go over the line on one side, we risk going into the ditch. If we cross over the line in the middle, we risk getting hit by oncoming traffic. We appreciate those lines because they keep us safe.

And it’s like that in our personal lives too. When we have clearly marked boundary lines, we feel much better and experience God’s peace. When God says don’t, He is not being difficult to get along with, He is being protective. You have been redeemed by the precious blood of Jesus, you are precious in His eyes, and He wants only the best for you.

Soul food: Ezra 6-8; Luke 10:13-24; Ps 78:9-16; Prov 19:24-26