Independent men, independent women, independent children, independent workers, teachers, people, so on, so forth... the list seems to be unending when it comes to the list of independence, not being dependent on anyone or anything. Has anyone ever dared or perhaps even cared to think that even though they claim to be independent, that they are still dependent on either themselves or something greater than they are (God, government, managers, supervisors, etc.)? If they did not trust their supervisor or manager, how would workers know what hours they would be working or when they would get their paycheck? If they did not trust the government, how would anyone know if laws were still enforced or when they would get the monthly benefits they think themselves to be entitled to (welfare, social security, food stamps, etc.)?
Christians, if we do not trust God, how can we expect Him to supply our NEEDS, not our fleshly wants and desires, but our NEEDS? Food on the table, God has provided the means for you to get it or it is someway given to you. Clothes on your back, God has provided the means for you to get it or it is someway given to you. Roof over your head, God has provided the means for you to get it or it is someway given to you. Finances, God has provided the means for you to get it or it is someway given to you. Every time we claim to be independent, we must be very careful, because if we claim to be independent, we are denying our trust and reliance on God and thus we also take away glory that is due unto His name and add it to either ourselves or some other. The importance of us being dependent on God is far greater than I can describe with words, and it is of utmost importance that others can see that we live our every day trusting God and depending on Him in even the littlest of things.
Proverbs 3:5-6 says, "Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths." If we are not trusting in the Lord with all our hearts, we are leaning on our own understanding and walking our own path, and thus we set the stage for our fall because we do not trust in Him as we ought to.
Philippians 4:6 says, "Be careful for nothing, but in all things by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God." If we worry about anything, we do not trust God with everything. We are to let our requests be made known unto God in ALL things by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving. It is a sin to worry because it hinders our relationship with God and shows our reluctance to trust Him.
The United States of America has a Declaration of Independence signifying its separation from England. As Christians the scripture, the Word of God, is our Declaration of Dependence signifying our trust in and dependence on God. Christians in or from America, who we are in Christ takes priority over what we are and what rights we have as Americans. Our identity as an American is a temporary thing and can be changed or stolen, but our identity in Christ is eternal and in no way can be changed or altered and no one can take that away from us.
America changes, its government changes, its laws change, as is the same with every country on the face of the earth. God and His Word have never changed and have always remained the same, and He will ALWAYS remain the same and His Word will neither change nor pass away. Christians, it is imperative that we depend on God for everything and of high importance that we are careful who we trust. If we put our trust in our fellow man and his inventions and devices, we will fail and fall. If we put our trust in God, however, we will remain standing even when everything around us is falling apart. Bit by bit, piece by piece, the world system is crumbling and the hearts of lost men and lost women are becoming harder and darker.
Christians, how can we be a light in this dark and dying world when we are not depending on God? God's Holy Word is our Declaration of Dependence on Him, and also it is the constitution by which we are governed. The liberties that we have cannot be changed by our fellow man, and how we are supposed to live cannot be changed by our fellow man either. God is absolute, therefore our trust in Him should be absolute as well. God is unchanging, therefore our trust in Him should be steadfast and take priority above all else, and He also should take priority over our fellow man.
Your fellow brother and warrior in Christ,
William L. Payne
1 Corinthians 15:58
