To “draw the line” at something is to “set a limit on what one is willing to do or accept, beyond which one will not go.” It usually implies that one recognizes and agrees to a standard that must not be compromised, especially in the midst of conflicting demands that call for our allegiance.
Perhaps the current election provides an illustrative scenario of what may be involved. A number of ballot initiatives across the nation do present the voter with the need to make a decision about issues that have moral-ethical, and even religious, implications. That is, they raise the question of where one is going to draw the line concerning the issues presented.
For example, the state of Massachusetts includes a ballot initiative that would allow physician- and relative-assisted suicide for terminally ill patients. The states of Washington and Oregon have similar measures that have already passed in earlier elections.
Then there is the matter of the use of marijuana. Some states, including California, despite current federal law, allow the use of marijuana for medical purposes. Massachusetts, Arkansas and Montana are including ballot initiatives for medical marijuana in this election. But now, in the states of Colorado, Washington, and Oregon, there are ballot initiatives that seek to legalize the recreational use of marijuana. It appears that the reasoning behind this has two main arguments: (1) to generate revenue for the state, and (2) to remove control of marijuana sale from criminals in the underground market. Actually, it appears to me that the argument is more like: “they’ll keep on using it anyway, so we might as well make money out of it.”
Whatever justification is made for any of these initiatives, the question remains: by what standard will the voter make his or her decision? From a historical perspective, it appears that many of these issues have moved along by redrawing the line by small increments. For example, the use marijuana was absolutely illegal. Then, the line moved to allow its medical use. Now, it is proposed that the line be moved again to allow recreational use. Where will it end?
All these point to the need for followers of Christ to become clear in our own minds by what standard we make our choices and justify our actions. It appears that more and more the world makes itself its own standard. But for a follower of Christ, the standard remains the gospel and the written word. Otherwise, we’ll just keep moving the line.
—Keith Jainga