Today we celebrate independence.
Many imagine God to be the tyrannical ruler whose bonds must be cast off in order to affect their Safety and Happiness, but nothing could be farther from the Truth.
I read the transcript of the Declaration of Independence in its entirety from the national archives today. Declaration of Independence: A Transcription | National Archives
In this historic document, God is appealed to as divine Providence, Creator and Nature’s God. He is the One on whom this declaration relies.
There is an enemy like the Prince mentioned. He is given the title prince of this world by Jesus. He now stands condemned. (John 12:31, 14:30, 16:11)
When in the course of humans events and among the powers of the earth exemplify verbiage intended to submit self government to the Laws of Nature and Nature’s God. This declaration was not an affront to the God of the Bible but to Britain’s king.
We have completely misunderstood this move toward independence. We are in danger when we clamor for the selfsame power the world’s prince pedaled to Eve in the garden and Christ in the wilderness. (Genesis 3:4-5, Luke 4:6-8) We are not interested in being led or protected. We only want to rule.
Our pursuit of happiness apart from God comes with a cost.
“Since they thought it foolish to acknowledge God, he abandoned them to their foolish thinking and let them do things that should never be done.”
Romans 1:28 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/rom.1.28.NLT
“What an agonizing situation I am in!
So who has the power to rescue this miserable man from the unwelcome intruder of sin and death?
I give all my thanks to God, for his mighty power has finally provided a way out through our Lord Jesus, the Anointed One!
So if left to myself, the flesh is aligned with the law of sin, but now my renewed mind is fixed on and submitted to God’s righteous principles.”
Romans 7:24-25 TPT
https://bible.com/bible/1849/rom.7.24-25.TPT
“For what the Law could not do [that is, overcome sin and remove its penalty, its power] being weakened by the flesh [man’s nature without the Holy Spirit], God did: He sent His own Son in the likeness of sinful man as an offering for sin.
And He condemned sin in the flesh [subdued it and overcame it in the person of His own Son], [Lev 7:37] so that the [righteous and just] requirement of the Law might be fulfilled in us who do not live our lives in the ways of the flesh [guided by worldliness and our sinful nature], but [live our lives] in the ways of the Spirit [guided by His power].”
Romans 8:3-4 AMP
https://bible.com/bible/1588/rom.8.3-4.AMP
“At last we have freedom, for Christ has set us free!
We must always cherish this truth, stand strong, and firmly refuse to go back into the bondage of our past.”
Galatians 5:1 TPT
https://bible.com/bible/1849/gal.5.1.TPT
“You were running the race so well. Who has held you back from following the truth?
It certainly isn’t God, for he is the one who called you to freedom.
I am trusting the Lord to keep you from believing false teachings. God will judge that person, whoever he is, who has been confusing you.”
Galatians 5:7-10 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/gal.5.7-10.NLT
“It was for this freedom that Christ set us free [completely liberating us]; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery [which you once removed].”
Galatians 5:1 AMP
https://bible.com/bible/1588/gal.5.1.AMP
“And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.”
A Fitting Reply 