:. the dichotomy of independence .:

On this Independence Day, a word about dependence.

As a nation, Americans are fiercely and proudly independent. We value our freedoms (and rightly so); we relish our pioneer spirit. We take orders from no one; we are proud to live in the land of the free and the home of the brave. "Don't Tread On Me" . . . "Give me liberty or give me death".

It's the American way.

But despite the slogans, despite what we may think, we are not free. We are all slaves. God Himself said so.

"A man is a slave to whatever has mastered him."

~ 2 Peter 2:19

"I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave to sin."

~ John 8:34

The Bible makes it clear that we are either slaves to sin, or slaves to righteousness. Through Jesus we can be set free from sin, but many of us choose to remain bound with those chains. How foolish, when the alternative gives such great reward:

"Now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves to God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life."

~ Romans 6:22

No, we're not really free, we are slaves. We also aren't really independent. We weren't created to be. John Donne had it right:

"No man is an island entire of itself; every man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main; . . . any man's death diminishes me, because I am involved in mankind."

Even Jack Shepherd famously said, "If we can't live together, we're gonna die alone." [Ed. note: Yes, I still miss Lost.]

The Bible tells us over and over that we are to bear one another's burdens, serve one another, love one another, meet together, pray together, and on and on. Those things definitely negate any idea we may hold of independence from our fellow man.

And then, of course, like it or not, believe it or not, act like it or not, each of us is entirely dependent on the One who created us.

So on this Independence Day, raise the flag, shoot off those fireworks, and consider:

"If the Son sets you free, you shall be free indeed."

~ John 8:36