a celebration of independence

In view of the holiday we celebrate today, it seems our topic should be appropriate. The Fourth of July is a celebration of independence. In one sense, as believers we can also celebrate our independence from the power and control of a horrible taskmaster, sin. As Biblical believers,
God says, "For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace." (Romans 6:14) Ladies, we are free!!! Romans 6:6-7, "knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should not longer
be slaves of sin. For he who has died has been freed from sin."

Our independence is not so we can go do whatever we want, but rather we are free to worship and serve the One who purchased our independence, our freedom. Romans 6:13, "And do not present your members as instruments of unrighteousness to sin, but present yourselves to God as being alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God."

I don't remember where I heard the following statement but it fits here as we consider our "independence." Parenting involves growing our children from total dependence as infants to independence as adults. God, on the other hand, is growing us from independence (from
Him) to total dependence (on Him).

As you celebrate today, meditate upon our freedoms won, as a nation and as believers, and the blessings of dependence on the Lord Jesus Christ.

Diane