Independence or Dependent?

In 1776, the thirteen colonies that existed in the new world gained their independence and began to experience freedom from the British Empire.  Since that time, on July 4^th Americans all over the United States will celebrate the independence with a variety of celebrations. 

I’ve often wondered if each of us really knows what it means to be truly independent.  I’m not talking about independence from a nation, but rather from a regime that is brutal, conniving, and manipulative.   It is true that there are many nations where all three of these traits are evident.  However, there is one regime that is so much more than any one nation can be; the regime’s name is Satan.  The Apostle Peter said, “Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.”  1^st Peter 5:8 (NLT)

Satan is in an all out war with us.  He wants our independence.  He makes the phrase:  “I have rights” into something God is not pleased with.  It is true that we have the right to believe or not believe.  We have the right to change or not.  However, there are consequences of good and bad to the decisions we make.  Satan worms his way into our independence and begins to convince us that God is harsh and intolerant and doesn’t allow you to be what you desire to be.  

It is a fact that our nation is changing.  It isn’t the same as it was in 1776 or 1876 or 1976 or 2014.  Not all change is bad.  As a matter of fact, in the hundreds of years of our nation, there have been great advancements in medicine, technology, industry, and education, along with many others.  Change can mean that we are making improvements. 

Independence means we have to be responsible to ensuring right decisions and changes are being made that will be honorable to God.  Not all the changes in our nation have been good.  The morality and values of our nation has taken a big hit.  Being “politically correct” is the new term for, “don’t offend.”  It is high time that we as a Christian nation and the Christian communities of White County stand as believers in Jesus to proclaim truth with unity.  Another Satan tactic is to get Christians to fuss and fight and argue over who is right and who is wrong and who is going to heaven and who is going hell that we have taken our focus off of leading and representing Jesus.  It is true that Christians have become a victim of Satan’s schemes. 

Our independence is due to the fact that Jesus set us free.  Jesus said in the Gospel of John 8, “I tell you most solemnly that anyone who chooses a life of sin is trapped in a dead-end life and is, in fact, a slave. A slave is a transient, who can’t come and go at will. The Son, though, has an established position, the run of the house. So if the Son sets you free, you are free through and through.”  We are free from a dead-end life.  Jesus opened the door of opportunity if we chose it.  The free life means stop being dependent on the sin life.  The free life means that sin cannot reign and being politically correct cannot be the motto of the believer or a nation who desires to be led by God.  The free life means we have to deal with sin head on and not tolerate behavior that is not honorable to God. 

So often churches want to focus on issues like same sex marriage.  But what about gossip and envy and hatred and discord and lying and jealousy and drunkenness and pride and wild parties?  When the Apostle Paul wrote a letter to Galatia, it wasn’t writing to the unchurched, rather the churched.  Paul also, wrote some touch stuff to the Christians in Corinth.  So often Christians point the finger to the changing of the nations morals and values at the unchurched, but if we were to take a really hard look at ourselves, we just might be leading the way in bad behavior mostly. 

It is time the church changes the community, rather than the community changing the church.  We must stop dividing and start working together.  We must kick Satan out of our town and tell him he isn’t welcome.  I challenge each of you to contact me and let me know if you are ready for a better community and a better county and a better State.  Jesus said, “The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.”  John 10:10 (NLT) Together we can make a difference and fully experience true and satisfying independence.  Write me at thegreatestcommandislove@gmail.com or text or call me at 931-545-7543.  Are you ready for full independence?  Don’t let Satan be welcomed in our town anymore!!!

Remember, Be God Controlled!

Brian