Independence and the Christian
If you’re a Christian, you know what it’s like to live at odds with the world around you. Worldly messages compete for your attention and your heart, and sometimes they win. This is especially true when it comes to independence and self-reliance.
Here, our team at Elevate Community Church takes a closer look at how we as Christians are supposed to operate in a world that prides itself on self-sufficiency.
Independence: The good, the bad, and the potentially dangerous
Throughout history, we have praised the do-it-yourselfers. We even have entire TV channels dedicated to rolling up your sleeves and making things happen on solo power. And in some cases, a bit of industry and self-sufficiency is a good thing.
Afterall, it was a small band of independent thinkers back in the 1700s who set the world on its ear and decided to unshackle themselves from a tyrannical government, with nothing but a few pitchforks and a prayer.
The Bible even has a word or two to say on the matter of industry.
For example, Proverbs 10:4 says, “A slack hand causes poverty, but the hand of the diligent makes rich.” The famous Proverbs 31 woman is exalted for her tenacity, resourcefulness, and hard work. It’s undeniable that God expects us to use the gifts He’s given us well and put a little elbow grease into life.
However, much more often than not, we are called to do the exact opposite. Too much self-reliance can corrupt our hearts, cause us to turn inward, and ultimately lead us away from God.
We know that from the very beginning, God never created us to be totally self-sufficient. In fact, studies show that we can become stressed, depressed, and burnt out when we rely on me, myself, and I — just another indicator from the Author and Creator of life that we are not enough on our own.
Try a little dependence
Remember that Proverbs 31 woman? The one who’s up at the crack of dawn cooking, the one who makes and sells clothing, the one who cares for her family and the community around her?
There are around 14 verses that outline those and other duties she carries out day in and day out — none of them pack a punch like the handful of verses at the very end.
The passage of the Proverbs 31 woman closes with this simple verse: “Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing, but a woman who fears the Lord shall be praised.”
So what ultimately is her crowning glory? It’s nothing that she does, makes, or produces, though those things are good and honorable. It has everything to do with her inward attitude and total reliance on God.
Too often, we let the world (and ourselves) tell us we need to check off all of the first 14 verses. We forget that the bedrock of the Christian life is actually complete and total surrender and submission. Those words are hardly fashionable in a society dead set on snuffing out even the slightest act of oppression and exalting freedom above all. But for the Chrisitan, they are the only way to a purposeful life on earth and an everlasting one in heaven.
What the Bible says about dependence
The Christian life has never been about fitting in. The first believers were ostracized at best and executed at worst for their decision to follow Jesus. However, they knew better than many modern Christians do just how crucial it is to surrender. Here are just a few of the things God’s word says on the matter:
John 15:5
I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.
2 Corinthians 12:9
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
1 Corinthians 15:10
But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me.
2 Corinthians 3:5
Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us, but our sufficiency is from God.
Ephesians 2:8
For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God.
These verses perfectly illustrate how important it is that we recognize where our salvation, freedom, and even our every breath come from.
Now what?
Independence isn’t always a bad thing. In fact, God calls us to live in the world but not of it, which means we need to be independent of worldly things and live freely in His grace. But we do need to make sure we understand exactly what it is that we want and need freedom from. It’s not authority, it’s not poverty, and it’s not sickness — God promises us a life of freedom from sin.
In his book Leadership as an Identity, Dr. Crawford Loritts writes, “God loves to be depended on. So He gives imperfect, inadequate human beings impossible assignments.”
The world is sinful and oppression and hatred lurk behind every corner. The world would tell you to pick yourself up by your bootstraps and adhere to your truth to overcome them. God calls us to fall on our knees and surrender to the Truth.
So don’t stop living the life you’ve been blessed with — just stop trying to DIY it.
If you’re ready to submit your life to Christ for the first time, we’d love to talk with you. Don’t hesitate to reach out to one of our friendly staff online or over the phone.
