A Declaration of Independence

Here in the United States, July 4th is a national holiday.  This is the day that we celebrate Independence Day commemorating the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776.  The Declaration established the United States of America as an independent nation, free from foreign rule, and standing alone on her own laws and principles. The Colonies - now the independent states – declared that they would no longer conform to the laws and edicts of the ruler that had governed them to that point.  Here's a quote from that document: "The history of the present King of Great Britain [George III] is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States". The signers of the Declaration were determined to do what was necessary to break away from King George's grip – even if it involved armed conflict – because they knew that he wouldn't let them go without a fight!

You too can make such a "declaration of independence" - from the ruler of THIS world, Satan!  But you must be willing to lay down the THINGS of this world that have a grip on you. * 

Jesus said, "Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits SIN is a SLAVE 
of SIN" (John 8:34).  ALL of us are sinners (Romans 3:23), thus we are ALL under its BONDAGE.

It is common for us to think of SIN as a SERVANT rather than a MASTER! When we CHOOSE to commit sin, we usually do so because we think that it will SERVE OUR interests – OUR selfish desires. SIN is viewed as a tool to bring us pleasure, and we view ourselves as being in control. The sin will go no further than WE want it to go, and we can stop it whenever we want.  But we are naïve! We are like Eve who only saw the forbidden fruit as a means to satisfy her desires and ambitions, but could not see the terrible consequences of her choice (see Genesis 3).

Once we give in to SIN, we become enslaved to it.  What we thought of as our SERVANT suddenly becomes our MASTER. It takes us places we did NOT plan to go and causes changes in our lives that we NEVER intended!  THEN - we realize that the great liberation and freedom that sin offered was only a TRAP!  We find instead that we have SOLD ourselves into slavery, and it is a bitter slavery indeed!

The GOOD NEWS is that because of JESUS CHRIST, YOU and I can make a declaration of independence from Sin!  Christ, through His death on the cross, 
paid the ransom price to free us from the bondage of sin (1 Peter 1:18-19).  Christ ratified this Declaration of Independence from Sin with His own blood (Matthew 26:28).  You and I can" sign" the declaration through our obedient faith – trusting in 
God (Hebrews 11:6), repenting of sin (2 Corinthians 7:9-10), confessing Jesus (Romans 10:9-10), and being baptized (immersed) for the forgiveness of sin (Acts 2:38; 22:16).  Signing the declaration is also expressing a commitment - to live according to its principles so that we can continue to be free from sin (1John 1:7).

" Therefore if the Son makes you FREE, you shall be FREE INDEED" (John 8:36).

Will YOU sign the " Declaration of Independence from Sin?"

God bless you!

David A. Sargent, Minister

Church of Christ at Creekwood 
1901 Schillinger Rd. S.
Mobile, Alabama  36695

*(Bill Champion - adapted) 

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