ERF and Title deeds

One of the most rewarding events in one's life has to be the day they pay off the property and receive the title deed of the property in their name. The pride, the satisfaction and, might I add, relief! Purchasing a home is one of the biggest expenses in an adult's life.  Interestingly, the homeowner's joy and pride does not wait for the title deed. Most people start celebrating home ownership the day the bank approves the home loan to mortgage the house. The erf number demarcates the allotted plot from that of the neighbours and serves as an address where the owner will be found if needed. Most importantly it is on this ERF number that the owner gets to exercise their authority.  To wake up one day and find a neighbour planting trees on this plot would be deemed trespassing with consequences. Similarly, it would leave a bad taste in your mouth if your neighbour built a wall that extends beyond the set boundary, it would reduce the size of your plot. 

If we were to think of the plot as our life, we can draw critical lessons about boundaries in life. For starters boundaries are there to create a clear distinction between individuals. The importance of boundaries cannot be over emphasised. Boundaries are set around things of value. The higher the value, the stronger the material used to create the boundaries. Think about the City of Jericho in 6, that was a secure estate of the highest calibre. More than the strong walls, there were watchmen and gateman, not forgetting the king's informant Rahab. Fear of Israel and what happened in Egypt drove the King of Jericho to leave no stone unturned in protecting his territory against the conquerors of Israel. 

What are the things in our lives that need protecting? Well for starters, our life itself needs protecting.  Our name, our reputation, our resources and our futures. Today, however, I want to focus on protecting our light. The day we are born again, is a day of great joy. It's the day we receive the bond approval from the bank to go ahead and acquire the home of our dreams in a 24 hour secure estate. Our bond instalments are the gratitude for the great gift of righteousness. We get access to amenities, privileges of being children of God and are accepted in the beloved. As we work toward the day we receive the title deed and handshake from the bank manager as He says, "Well done, good and faithful servant" we have to protect our relationship with the bank or starters. We have to show with the monthly payment. We have to maintain the property so it maintains its value, maybe even increase it. 

If we compromise on the security of the property, it can compromise even within the estate. It was Rahab that the led the spies into Jericho because the King was not aware of the deepest hurt. Things like unaddressed hurts and unhealed wounds cause damage. You see boundaries prevent damage and compromise to property from things inside and outside the property. Should the king have known Rachel well enough, to know her heart, He would have known how easily her loyalty could be swayed. 

Here are a number of ways to ensure healthy boundaries to protect your light:

1.Be sober minded. 1 Peter 5:8 -9a Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith. 

2. Focus on finishing well. James 1: 12 Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.