Being Independent Together

Being Independent Together

Scripture: John 8:36; Exodus 1:11a; 3:7-8; Romans 12:2

“If the Son therefore shall make you free, you shall be free indeed.” (John 8:36)

Today, in the United States, we are celebrating the Fourth of July holiday. Independence Day (July 4th), is a U.S. federal holiday commemorating the Declaration of Independence of the United States on July 4, 1776. On this day, the Continental Congress declared that the thirteen American colonies were no longer subject (and subordinate) to the monarch of Britain, King George III, and were now united, free, and independent states. The Congress had voted to declare independence two days earlier, on July 2, but it was not declared until July 4. After voting for independence, Congress turned its attention to the Declaration of Independence, a statement explaining its decision to declare independence. The document outlines a general philosophy of government that justifies revolution when the government harms it people. The document also contains the indictment against King George III which justified their actions. Once this decision was made and they outlined the reasons for it, they put a stake in the ground and held firm. Whereas before they were dependent upon and subject to Britain, they now were proclaiming their independence and the accountability that came along with it. They would now be free to govern themselves and make their own decisions.

The title of my message this morning is “Being Independent Together.” Yes I know the title seems to be contradictory when you consider that the definition of the word “independent” is being “able to operate alone because you’re not dependent on somebody else.” So it begs the question how can you be both independent together? Doesn’t the fact that you’re independent mean that you are no longer dependent on anyone else – you are alone? How many of you remember the movie “Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer?” In the 1964 holiday classic, Rudolph and Hermey have individually decided to go off on their own after feeling unappreciated. They discover each other in a snowbank and confess that they do not need anyone – that they are independent. After making this decision, they decide to be independent together. This conversation seems contradictory as independence implies going at it alone and being without other people, yet these two ironically decide to be “independent together.” The scene is meant to be an amusing start to a budding friendship, but there is a deeper truth to be gained from these friends about how to successfully be independent while also being dependent at the same time. In other words, being independent together which in our case independent from the world while being together with God. Remember when Jesus prayed in John chapter seventeen that He said, “I have given them Your word; and the world has hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. 15I pray not that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil. 16They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.” (John 17:14-16)

As you heard in the Scripture we read from John 8:36, those who have accepted Christ as Lord and Savior have been granted independence from the world of sin, we were made free. The price of our independence from sin came through the death of God’s Son. But sin is not the only thing we have been made free from. While we often talk about Jesus freeing us from sin, being free from sin opens the door for us to be free from other things as well. This is why we believe in healing. This is why we believe that when we pray God will hear and answer our prayers. This is why we believe that we do not walk alone in this world. This is why, as I shared with you last week, that even when troubles are in our way, we have an answer. Everything ties back to our being granted freedom from what was holding us in bondage. But do you know that even though we have been granted freedom – have been made free – many people would prefer to stay in bondage because they are afraid to walk in the freedom that God has granted us? They are afraid of being independent together with God. Walking in freedom is difficult and to get there is painful, but again, we are not alone.

Let me give you some examples from which this message will build upon. When I was working, I had representatives who were both independent together with me and some who were dependent on me (no independence on their part). The independent representatives who were independent together with me thrived on their abilities to make decisions about their territories and consult with me when needed. They were always accountable for their results and when the results were good they could tell me why. Likewise when the results were not so good we would sit down together and work through their plans to address any issues. They could independently make the decision, but together we worked through the ideas. Now this was not the case with my representatives who were more dependent on me. They wanted me to tell them everything they needed to do. If a decision about their business needed to be made, they wanted me to make the decision. Now hear me closely on this, these representative did not want to be held accountable for the results because the things they were doing were the things I told them to do. If I told them what to do and it did not work out as planned they would tell me that it was not their fault as they did exactly what I had directed them to do. Imagine being made free but choosing to remain in bondage. Imagine being dependent on someone to the point that you become incapable of making your own decisions. God has made us free but He wants us to be independent together with Him. Because it is not easy many stop before they get to the point of independent togetherness.