The Lilidorei Park at Alnwick Garden in Northumberland, UK is home of the largest playground in the world. This playground is themed around nine mythical clans celebrating Christmas. Children go all through the villages and scale the massive castle tower in complete freedom. The freedom and fun experienced within the playground do not only come from the characters and structures. The other part of the fun is from something that is not considered fun at all, it’s the massive wall surrounding the playground. The boundary around the playground heightens the experience of fun and freedom by the children by keeping the fun in and the evil out.

There is a misconception that says love, fun, and pleasure come from removing barriers. However, nothing could be further from the truth. The popular mantra for the day says, “Love is love” or “Love has no boundaries.” God’s Word consistently holds the idea that “Love is boundaries.”

The Corinthian church had a big problem understanding the concept that love necessarily has boundaries. In fact, Paul tells the Corinthians, “Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness?” (2 Cor 6:14-15). Paul lays out a very clear boundary. He does not give this difficult boundary to limit them, but to allow them to experience real love and freedom. Paul is not keeping the Corinthians from loving, being kind, or sharing the good news of Jesus with unbelievers, but he is saying to guard your heart. Paul proves this by telling them, “We have spoken freely to you, Corinthians, and opened wide our hearts to you. We are not withholding our affection from you, but you are withholding yours from us” a few verses before (2 Cor 11-12).

Sometimes the most loving thing we can do is remind someone of a boundary that will help them. Are you allowing some evil to have access to your heart in the name of love? Remember, love is boundaries.