Independence Day!

I love that movie. The alien invasion defeated by a rag tag air force made from a group of misfits’ led by the President. They use a stolen alien ship to insert a virus into the shield system of the alien armada so that the earth weapons can be effective. Another alien invasion movie War of the Worlds ended with the defeat of the alien force not because of any weapon system earth had to offer but because of a virus killing the aliens. In both instances it is the little unaccounted for entities that seal the victory.

July 4 is on the calendar in every country in the world yet we celebrate it because of the declaration of a principle of government that had never been tried. It worked and is still working. This country was founded on principles in the word of God. Principles of equality for all men, freedom from government religious oppression, representative legislatures and a fair judicial system to balance the power of the executive and legislative branches. We have taken great pride and comfort in that system and I might say justifiably so. However, recent events may have shaken some of that confidence.

It has been easy to live in a culture where Christianity is dominate. We have become so accustomed to it that we have begun to believe it is our right. If I’m an American I am a Christian. Many would disagree with me there from other belief systems but they are aware of the dominance. That assumption is like a virus. It has crept into our thinking so easily after all it is inherent in our nature.

Our nature is to want to be God. It started in the Garden of Eden and continues today. We know what’s right (remember high school). We know where we are going (plans of mice and men) We are in charge and control after all we are “Master of my fate: The captain of my soul” wrote William Earnest Henley at age 25 in his poem Invictus. With this foundation we often allow others or entities to take charge. We allow them authority over us. Israel to keep up with surrounding nations wanted a king other than God. God protested through Samuel and yet allowed them to choose Saul. Jesus addressed the danger of such an action 14 generations later.            

You all have a single Teacher, and you are all classmates. Don’t set people up as experts over your life, letting them tell you what to do. Save that authority for God; let him tell you what to do. No one else should carry the title of ‘Father’; you have only one Father, and he’s in heaven. And don’t let people maneuver you into taking charge of them. There is only one Life-Leader for you and them—Christ. Matthew 23:8-10 The Message

We are so funny. We rail against authority. We war against control yet allow the virus of complacency to infect us so that others rule and reign in our lives. All the while we have it good. Independence is only found in dependence upon God. True independence was paid for at the cross by Christ alone for the whole world for all time.  We have no other King but Jesus and He brings independence through dependence on him. He alone is the only effective antibiotic to the virus of sin that infects us all. This Independence Day let’s celebrate our dependence on Him!    

   

In HIS Service and Yours!

Bro G