Longing to Belong Chapter 6: Beyond the Boundaries of Belonging

From Chapter Six of Longing to Belong

As we discussed in previous chapters, God has clearly established an expectation of behaviors and attitudes that form a boundary between our belonging to the world and our belonging to Jesus Christ. In addition to providing an environment in which we, the branches, can produce fruit that will last, these boundaries also provide a safe context in which we can remain in healthy relationships with one another.
Again, the purpose of boundaries is “to protect the integrity and function of the individual parts and the whole.” Therefore, the boundaries of belonging are established to protect both the individuals as well as the entire group. Additionally, as we discussed in Chapter Three, when boundaries are repeatedly violated or ignored, the integrity of the whole and its parts are threatened, and chaos sets in.
Boundaries for the Body
The apostle Paul wrote his letters to the corporate gathering, to the Church, also knowing their implications for the individual members of each local congregation. In this context, Paul reminded them:
We are all one body, we have the same Spirit, and we have all been called to the same glorious future.
There is only one Lord, one faith, one baptism, and there is only one God and Father, who is over us all and in us all and living through us all.
Ephesians 4:4-6 NLT