July 4, 2023 – “Independence Day”
It was July 4, 1776, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
The Continental Congress of the United States adopted the now famous and final draft of the Declaration of Independence. It listed a great many abuses and usurpations by the British Crown against the American Colonies and declared the colonies to be “free and independent states.”
Today we will joyfully celebrate the birthday of our country and the freedom to enjoy “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.” But as Christians and first-citizens of another "country," we might do well to think about the fact that we are NOT AT ALL INDEPENDENT, nor should we ever want to be. Indeed, even our founding fathers knew that we are never independent of God’s authority and sovereignty. The last paragraph of the Declaration includes these words, “… with a firm reliance upon the protection of divine providence .” Indeed, we ought to be DEPENDENT - - dependent on HIM
But independence (from God) is tempting. It was the first temptation hurled at us in the Garden of Eden. Satan hissed his taunt to Eve, “… God knows that in the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God …” (Genesis 3:5 nkjv) And still today we are tempted to want to dissolve the spiritual bands that tie us to Him and His authority.
Franklin, Jefferson, Madison, and Washington all had good reason to want to shake off the tyranny of the British monarchy. But we have NO REASON to want to shake off God’s authority. His leadership is just. His laws are for our good. And He makes no demands on us that He Himself, in the person of Jesus Christ, did not live out as a demonstration of their wholesomeness.
Let’s be sure to guard against an independent spirit when it comes to our spiritual, moral, and ethical lives. The Apostle Paul wrote, "We are members of His body." (Ephesians 5:30) We were never designed to function as disconnected persons from God, nor from each other. And whenever we attempt to do so, we make mistakes, bringing heartache and ruin into our lives and families.
As we celebrate July 4th this year, let’s remember to reaffirm and celebrate our DEPENDENCE upon our loving and all-knowing God.
““Because the Sovereign Lord helps me, I will not be disgraced. Therefore, I have set my face like a stone, determined to do his will. And I know that I will not be put to shame …
If you are walking in darkness, without a ray of light, trust in the LORD and rely on your God. But watch out, you who live in your own light and warm yourselves by your own fires … you will soon fall down in great torment.” (Isaiah 50:7-11 nlt)