“Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people He has chosen as His own inheritance.” Psalm 33:12
“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.”
—Preamble to the Declaration of Independence
You may have expected the title to say “independence” instead of “dependence.” But here’s the truth: real freedom—eternal, fearless, unshakable freedom—only comes through total dependence on God.
The very first sin was born out of a lie—the lie that we could live independently from our Creator. Satan whispered it to Eve, and that same lie still plagues humanity. Whether it’s our personal life, our family, our churches, or even our nation—every level of society begins to crumble the moment we stop recognizing our desperate need for God. Our personal freedom, the freedom of our family, communities and our nation is in constant jeopardy when we fail to be consistently aware of just how desperately we need God.
The people of the nations of this earth struggle to find truth amid disinformation and lies perpetuated by the enemies of humanity. But the most important truth is the Gospel which produces God’s gift of salvation. Our Creator gave His life to purchase our redemption and to free us from the slavery and condemnation of sin.
While we ARE endowed by our Creator with life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, He has given us so much more. God has given us eternal freedom to spread the Good News of eternal life to everyone. When we are born again, we have the ability to live free from the dark works of the flesh. Indeed, we can live in the marvelous fruit produced by the Spirit of God.
Tell me, do you see folks living in more freedom when they are living by the works of the flesh or—in the fruit of the Spirit? Compare the descriptions below and consider which characteristics dominate your own life and circle of friends. If I determine ANY works of the flesh are tainting my life, then I know I’ve lost my freedom. Conversely, if I’m not experiencing the fruit of the Spirit, then I’m living in slavery. I often use this test on myself because it faithfully reveals when I have yielded my freedom in Christ to the enemy. It reveals who is the master of our thoughts, words and actions.
Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Galatians 5:19-25
My friend, when we are born again, we have a choice about who we make our master. But those who are lost do not! We are engaged in a spiritual war—against darkness, deception, and spiritual blindness. The enemy has convinced many that wrong is right, darkness is light, and God’s Word is irrelevant. Even some believers live like God is powerless because they are gripped by fear, anxiety, and hopelessness. (I have been there!)
We must get back our mindset of complete dependence upon God—that we are nothing without Him!
Jesus taught us how to do this in the Beatitudes. And when we live holy and 100% surrendered to God, we live fearlessly, because we see—truly see—the power of our God. We become armed and dangerous against the enemy with the most powerful weapon on earth: God’s presence. In His presence, we walk in real freedom.
“Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage.” Galatians 5:1
This is the war we’re in—a war for our dependence upon God. The world says freedom means being your own master. The Word says freedom is found only when Jesus is your Master.
Today’s Challenge:
Identify one area of your life where you’ve been living independently of God—then pray and surrender it back to Him. Ask Him to fill you with His Spirit and help you walk in true freedom.
Today’s Prayer:
Heavenly Father, I confess my deep need for You. Forgive me for the times I’ve tried to manage my life in my own strength. Help me to fully surrender to Your Spirit. Let the fruit of the Spirit grow richly in my life replacing every fleshly desire. Keep me alert in this spiritual battle, aware that true freedom comes only through total dependence on You. I choose You today—my Rock, my Redeemer, my Defender. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
