Independence Can Create Lazy People

​As the United States of America begins to celebrate its Independence Day, it causes a moment to reflect on what independence has created for the people who can worship God in a freedom of religion atmosphere.  The findings, for modern times, lead to a generation of lazy Christians.  The word independence is defined as the quality or state of being independent or not subject to control by others, not requiring or relying on someone else.  It also means competence, a sufficiency of means for the necessities and conveniences of life.  When Christians are independent of God, this can create not only a laziness in participating in a Christian life, but also begin to deteriorate a true covenant with God (John 15:5; Isaiah 40:31).  Due to their ability to choose if they go to church, if they read their Bible, if they pray, and if they actually have a relationship with God, leads many to only following through the act of Christianity when they desire (2 Timothy 3:5; 1 Corinthians 2:14).  Americans may have independence from many various things, but Christians should have no independence from God (Acts 4:12; Psalm 91:1-16).  God’s people should be dependent on Him through reading their Bible, participating in church, praying, and walking daily in a right relationship with God.  When people understand they have a choice, they will, a majority of the time, take the easier, selfish path.  This is not solely out of avoiding hardship, but many times out of laziness (Proverbs 13:4; Proverbs 10:4-5; Proverbs 21:25; Proverbs 19:15).  God did not send His Son, Jesus Christ, to live on the earth, lay down His own life for the sins of the world, and be resurrected on the third day for His people to be lazy in their walk with Him.  Jesus obeyed God the Father to give those who choose to become His followers the opportunity to become the soldiers of God, world overcomers, submitted servants, and joint-heirs with Him in the things of God (Romans 8:17; 2 Timothy 2:12; Ephesians 3:6).  He did not give His life for people to be lazy, do only what they desire to do, live their lives according to their own standard, and not fulfill their biblical duties unto God.  When Christians are independent from God, they make themselves their god (Philippians 3:19; Romans 16:18; 2 Timothy 3:2-4; 2 Peter 2:19).  God is a jealous God Who desires His people to have a dependency on Him in everything of their lives (Matthew 6:24; Deuteronomy 4:24; Hebrews 12:29).  A Christian’s life is nothing without God.  In many of today’s messages and services, everything is focused on the person and what God will do for them instead of being focused on God and how His people should live for Him (2 Timothy 4:3-4; Jude 4; Matthew 7:15; 2 Peter 2:1; Colossians 2:8; 2 Corinthians 11:13).  When a Christian realizes their dependence on God through Jesus Christ, they will use their American independence to live a life full of faith pleasing unto God (Hebrews 11:6).  Ironically, some of the most powerful Christians in today’s time do not have independence within their nation, but their power comes from their dependence on God.  Living in the United States should allow the independence within the nation and also build stronger Christians who exercise that right to live for God in full dependence according to God’s desires.  May Christians become stronger and more dependent on God as they live their lives not for themselves but for the God they declare they love and serve.  For more information about Abundant Grace Church, visit agcsparta.org.