Independence Day/Dependence Day

The fourth of July is a day of celebration in the United States. Picnics, parades and fireworks are all a part of the fanfare and commemoration of Independence Day. Two hundred thirty eight years after those brave men first put their signatures on the Declaration of Independence, we are still celebrating. Independence Day; it is not just to remember the date and the signing of that piece of paper, but to consider the sacrifice of those who believed a free nation was worth fighting for.

Colonial Christians who favored independence from England had a slogan that became a battle cry. “No King but King Jesus!” Having chosen to come across the ocean for the opportunity to worship God freely, these men and women wanted to continue free from the rule of England’s king. The right for each individual to choose God and how they worshiped Him was at the core of our founding fathers fight. Although there were political and social reasons to become a nation of our own, there can be no question that God was at the center of the beginnings of what we now celebrate.

Each of us has a similar fight for independence in our spiritual lives. There are actually several areas that we will need to battle to win our freedom. We will also have to stand firm to hold onto that freedom. But in all cases we will have the strength and power of God Himself to win the battles and hold onto victory.

The first battle we will face is the battle against sin and death. This battle is actually won by total surrender. Sin and death were conquered on the cross by Jesus Christ. He has already done all the work. Salvation comes by trusting in Him alone. “ if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” (Romans 10:9-10 ESV) The battle that we face is letting go of our good works and acknowledging that only the finished work of Jesus Christ can lead us to God the Father and to heaven.  We make our declaration of dependence on this finished work.

Once we’ve been born again we will daily battle temptation and sin. There will always be opportunities to choose to give into temptation, but the born-again spirit desires to choose right. Again this battle is one not won by digging in your heels in determining to avoid all of the ‘don’ts’ of a code of behavior.  The apostle John wrote “ For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.”  (John 1:17 ESV)  The apostle Paul also speaks of this. “God who has made us sufficient to be ministers of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit. For the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.”  (2 Corinthians 3:6 ESV) The Holy Spirit brings abundant grace to believers. Grace is not only receiving forgiveness when we sin, but grace instills a desire within our hearts to choose God’s way. It’s all dependent on simply receiving the love He has already shown us.

Another battle that can be difficult for the believer is the battle between pleasing men and pleasing God. We all have a desire to be liked by those we come in contact with. This is not necessarily bad. But when the choice must be made to please men or to follow God, we must always choose God. The apostles faced this choice when they stood before a council of rulers and were told to no longer preach the gospel.  ^“But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men.” (Acts 5:29 ESV) The apostle Paul spoke of choosing God over man. “For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.” (Galatians 1:10 ESV) It is imperative to choose the heart of God. Nowhere in Scripture is a recorded that someone was commended for having a heart after the crowd. David was made king because he had a heart after God.  Our hearts must also yearn for God.

In all of these instances the power to win the battle comes from God Himself. We never need to fight in our own strength, but rather admit our total dependence on what the Lord has already provided. When we receive and walk in His provision we walk in victory.

So this Independence Day as you meet with friends, have a cook out, watch the fireworks or light some sparklers, think about the men and women who fought and sacrificed so much that our nation could have this independence. Then take a moment to think about the independence from the powers of darkness that was won for us by Jesus Christ on the cross. Thank God for what you have and rely on Him to continue walking in that freedom. We can all make our declaration of dependence, “No King but King Jesus!”