The world is amazing. Just look at the mix of nations on this one planet. The current nations are the result of centuries of rebellions and revolutions. And at the heart of these struggles was a single word –Independence.
I want to be independent: this cry, from millions of throats, fueled revolution and war. At its heart is a desire to be in control of our own destiny – not to be controlled by others. Some nations have thrown off the shackles of colonialism knowing fully well that the consequence of their freedom would mean years of poverty and famine in the land; but they could not be deterred.
But why am I going on and on about world history? Because, freedom is a cardinal word for humans. It defines who we are and fulfills us-The Bible talks about freedom too. But not in a way that we relate to in the world. The Bible teaches us that there is a spirit of independence that works in man; and that spirit is a spirit of rebellion. I am not talking about political or demographic independence here. I am talking about a spirit that says ‘I am not under anybody, I only submit to myself’. In this article I am not even talking about unbelievers. I am talking about people who have met with the Lord but who operate with such an air of defiance. These people are Christians who shout out: ‘I don’t need to be submitted to anyone!’
The Bible teaches us clearly that we are not independent creatures. Independence when applied to the personal level for a Christian has many implications. True freedom is not found by separation but rather by cleaving- cleaving to your creator.
Submission is only for the strong. Yes, only the strong can submit, can lay down the things dearest to them, can lay down their own lives. The quest to be independent is a vain quest, because only God gives us true freedom. Only God gives us power that truly liberates us from the unseen things that bind us and chain us. Submitting to Him, and staying submitted to Him, is the only way we can be truly free because we submit to His lavish love.
Ironically this is the excuse for most Christians on the street. They do not attend churches, neither do they submit to their elders and their excuse is: ‘I only submit to God, I do not listen to man’. But scripture is very clear in instructing us to be submitted to church and church eldership; to be submitted to mature people in the Lord so that you can be discipled. Scripture gives us a picture that says that it is not independence that we seek for, but interdependence.
We are wired to live as a society and community especially in the family of God. There is an urgent need to be part of a group that is actively seeking the Lord, a need to be submitted to elders who can advise and correct you. The spirit of independence is not from God and must be rejected from our lives.
I encourage you to search your life and see by what spirit you reject men of God, and don’t commit to them for discipleship- is it from a spirit of rebellion; to not be accountable to anyone? We are at a critical stage where we must stop seeing ourselves as super-Christians but rather as normal Christians who need each other.
Wow Titto..an important re-check..Thank God fer these words..”Submission is only for the strong. Yes, only the strong can submit, can lay down the things dearest to them, can lay down their own lives. The quest to be independent is a vain quest, because only God gives us true freedom.”Wow!
This is what you call a word in season! The word says that we are to fellowship with each other. As the Body of Christ, we are a family and need to be in fellowship for encouragment and direction. Coming out of fellowship and not being “under” a leader can only lead to deception.
Great post!
Hi Titto!
It’s an awesome truth, that we must be interdependent. As Ephesians says, to ‘submit to one another in love’. We only grow and learn through the trials of submitting to one another. It is not easy. And it is not natural! But it produces in us a powerful force…unity! Wow! And that force will show the world, as Jesus prayed, that the Father sent Him. And that He is alive.
Tittokutta,
Just what I wanted today…all day long I was thinking of Independence and interdependence in love with People of Christ. Been too irritated today but as I read this post, I got relief and a thought provoking aspect is included in it.
Love
Vipin
So true! Our true fullfillment as humans does not come through independence but through healing of our relationship to our Father/Creator. In this relationship true freedom is found: freedom from any kind of human slavery and freedom from our own wickedness. Thank you, Titto, for this excellent teaching.
Egmont