Independent – Free from outside control; not depending on another’s authority. Not depending on another for livelihood or subsistence.
As we celebrate Independence Day, let us think about what it means to be independent. During the Revolutionary War, on July 2, 1776, the Continental Congress voted in favor of independence, and two days later delegates from the 13 colonies adopted the Declaration of Independence. They wanted to be independent from the outside control and authority of Great Britain. They wanted to be free. Many fought and died during the war to obtain that freedom and we still celebrate it today. And, In 1870, the U.S. Congress made July 4th a federal holiday.
John Adams wrote to his wife Abigail that what they did on July 2, 1776 “will be celebrated, by succeeding Generations, as the great anniversary festival” and that the celebration should include “Pomp and Parade…Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfires and Illuminations from one end of this continent to the other.” I thought it was interesting that John Adams mentioned, “illuminations” as part of the celebration.
But let’s look at another type of independence. The Bible says, “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” (John 8:36). Free from what? Doubt, fear, worry, insecurity, defeat, and hell, just to name a few. Satan wants to “steal, kill and destroy” us, (John 10:10) but God wants us to be set free from all Satan has planned for us. We can make our Spiritual Declaration of Independence by saying YES to Jesus who has already fought and won the war for us. Jesus paid the price on the cross for our independence.
Last week, we had our first baptismal service in several months. Six people were baptized which was their Declaration of Independence testimony of the freedom they had received by asking Jesus into their heart. It was indeed a celebration!
On July 4, 2021, we will celebrate our freedom and independence from outside control and authority as a country with many of the things John Adams mentioned in the letter to his wife. But we must always be vigilant and not complacent because our freedom is always under attack. The Declaration of Independence states, “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness.” Freedom, independence…In God We Trust!
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