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Scripture has a lot to say about boundaries and conflict. Paul’s letter to the Galatians addresses a church in conflict. While trying to navigate a rapidly changing landscape with differing factions, the Galatians were struggling with their mission and identity. Unidentified Jewish-Christian leaders arose in the church that would force members into practices like circumcision and dietary law (their boundaries). Paul declared non-Jews could become Christians without these practices (God’s new boundary).
How did Paul view this boundary conflict? He saw it through the lens of love. “For you were called to freedom, brothers and sisters; only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for self-indulgence, but through loves become slaves to one another,” Paul wrote. “For the whole law is summed up in a single commandment: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’” (Galatians 5:13-14).
You and your neighbor are equally worthy of love. You love yourself by keeping healthy boundaries. You love others (even during conflict) by listening (to understand, not to argue).
This message is excerpted from “Conflict and boundaries” by Lisa A. Smith in the June/July/August 2025 Gather magazine.