Happy United States of America Independence Day.
Have you ever been dependent on something or someone besides yourself? I have and I know all of us have. Have you ever wanted to be independent? I have. How about this one, have you ever wanted to be dependent? I have. Why do most people want to be independent? Is it an American trait because of our fight for independence from the British Empire? Let us consider what I have learned.
On July 4, 1776 the newly formed United States of America declared independence from The British Empire primarily for economic reasons including unfair tax policies. They also believed that the British Parliament and King George III were tyrants. Today because of that we call ourselves independent people. But are we? It seems to me that the current government wants us to become more and more dependent upon the government.
This is not surprising to me because Satan wants us to be independent of God and provides a substitute for God and that being government. The Prophet Samuel warned Israel about exchanging God for a king in 1 Samuel 8. It seems to me that Satan wants us to exchange God for a king and the consequences are the people will become dependent upon the king/government. In return we will become dependent upon Satan.
I have become to believe that though some type of independence is good. For example, it is good that a baby grows up and at some point, in time is no longer dependent upon its parents. It is good for us not to be dependent upon earthly governments.
However, as a believer there are somethings that we should not be independent. I believe that we should not be independent of God. Paul tells me, “I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:11b-13 (ESV) The Him who Paul is referring to is God. He also tells me, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” Philippians 4:6 (ESV)
The Psalms are filled with passages about depending upon God. Here are three of my favorites.
“Our soul waits for the Lord;
he is our help and our shield.
For our heart is glad in him,
because we trust in his holy name.
Let your steadfast love, O Lord, be upon us,
even as we hope in you.” Psalms 33:20-22 (ESV)
“For you, O Lord, are my hope,
my trust, O Lord, from my youth.” Psalms 71:5 (ESV)
“Why are you cast down, O my soul,
and why are you in turmoil within me?
Hope in God; for I shall again praise him,
my salvation and my God.” Psalms 42:5-6 (ESV)
I also believe that I am to be dependent upon fellow believers. I believe this because there are several passages that I refer to one another commands. These commands I believe are there to help me to understand my need for other believers. Not only for them to minister to me but for me to minister to them. Some of these commands are; love one another, encourage one another, teach one another, pray for one another, and care for one another. If you want to know more here is a link to 251 times one another is used in the English Standard Version.
I believe that there is a clear command that reflects our need for one another. Hebrews 10:23-25 commands me, “Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.” (ESV) I have learned that I need my fellow believers. It is the body of believers that encourage me when I am down, love me when I feel unloved, pray for me when I need help, walk aside me when I need a friend, and so on and so on. Because I believe that as believers, we are often time God’s hands and feet in the world. Let me make it perfectly clear God does not need anyone to do these kinds of things because He can do them all but God choose to use His people to do all these things as part of Hid overarching story for mankind. This overarching story is something that Satan wants to destroy because if I do not consider myself to be part of God’s overarching story I am only left with my story and you are also left with your own story. My guess is our stories would not be in one-hundred percent agreement and we would have a huge conflict. As proof just look at the world where we see most people do not believe they are part of God’s overarching story in fact they do not believe in any overarching story thus all we have is everyone’s own story and according to them theirs is the true story.
Join me in giving up our independence and depending upon God and His people to provide us with all we need including our hope. God wants us to accept the death of Jesus on the cross which has taken away the sins of mankind. All you need to do is accept Jesus. It is by far the greatest choice you will ever make to give up your independence and start depending upon God. Understanding that you will live eternally knowing the only true God and Jesus Christ and this what brings the greatest hope all because of the death of Jesus Christ on the cross satisfying the penalty for sins. His payment satisfies all my sins from the past, in the present and in the future. My penalty and yours was satisfied on the cross by the death of Jesus, God’s greatest act of love and wrath, who became sin for me and you. It was also God’s greatest act of faithfulness because “God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8 (ESV) Because holiness shows us, we need to believe in Jesus. I hope that you join me in helping others to choose Jesus.
If you have not read my previous blogs, you can find them here.
You can find my book, Hope Amid Hopelessness: Our Abba Father Provides a Way Through Mental Illness here.
eBook or Audiobook versions can be found at Westbow Press or Christianbook.com at Amazon or Google.
