Independence
I believe that the quest for independence is innate in every human being. From youth we long for independence, starting from our parents. In one way or another we all yearn to have independence to think and act as we want, without anyone telling us how.
Independence is the state of being independent, which means: not depending on others, not being influenced or controlled by others, and autonomy, among other things. If we analyze its meaning we will realize that there is no possible way of acquiring complete independence.
Business owners depend on their customers and suppliers. Even the wealthy depend on those who produce and serve what they consume. Imagine a world where everyone is totally independent:
- everyone defining their own laws;
- driving without traffic laws
- having to produce everything we need (energy sources, food, etc.)
We are dependent on other people in many more areas than we can list.
Nor is there such a thing as independence of thought. Be it in culture, religion, politics, education, or any other aspect of life, even if we do not want to, our thoughts are always influenced by external forces.
We want to live independent of the influence of God. We reject His laws, wanting to implement ours. We can try to become independent of God, but we will inevitably end up depending on other people or things (other gods).
But those of us who have trusted in God understand what it means to attain freedom by submitting to His obedience (influence).
…you who were once slaves of sin have become obedient from the…and, having been set free from sin, have become slaves of righteousness…For just as you once presented your members as slaves to impurity and to lawlessness leading to more lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves to righteousness … But what fruit were you getting at that time from the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death. But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the fruit you get leads to sanctification and its end, eternal life. – Romans 6:17-22
Even if we wanted, we could not extend our life. Why not then submit to the one who offers us eternal life?
If our lives depend so much on men, how much more should they depend on God. Only He can give us the true freedom that we all need.
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