Independent as Sin

Spirituality Column #91
August 5, 2008
Current in Carmel - Westfield

Independent as Sin
By Bob Walters

In our culture the words “freedom” and “independence” are virtually synonymous.

We might respectfully describe an especially non-conformist person as an “independent cuss.” A “freedom rider” in the 1960s was a socially conscious agent of change. Our “Declaration of Independence” laid out America’s utterly unique (and I believe God-ordained) roadmap to the magnificent human, economic and political freedoms we enjoy.

And yet, from a Biblical standpoint, the freedom we are to have in Christ, as children of God ordained by the Holy Spirit, is just about as opposite from human independence as one can spiritually get.

I’ve read the Bible cover-to-cover, re-read parts of it every day, attend organized Bible and theological classes or discussion at least twice a week, go to church, read daily devotions, am usually in the middle of one religious book or another, say grace before every meal, am involved in numerous church activities … and if it looks like I am just sitting there doing nothing, I’m probably praying.

This is to say that I am kind of a “gym-rat” when it comes to church, Bible study, personal growth and change in Christ, and theological education.

But for all the seeming spiritual contradictions, conundrums and mysteries I’ve encountered in my faith walk, the realization of the “opposite” natures of freedom and independence is right at the top of the list.

Our Biblical human freedoms are based around the fact that we are to be free to pursue God, have an individually personal and unique relationship with God, and be free to love God and others, in community, as the Holy Spirit directs.

God designed our hearts to be free to love God and love others.

The error Adam and Eve made in the garden – the biggest blunder of all time – was to mistake their freedom given by God to discover love, with the independence described by Satan to discover power.

All our temptations are exercises in independence. God wants us to be free to totally love and rely on him and each other. What He does not want is for us to be independent from Him.

We try to be free as birds, but too often are independent as sin.

Walters (rlwcom@aol.com) back in 2008 read “The Shack,” a whimsical story that warmly and clearly describes the beauty of freedom with God, and the coldness and danger of independence from God.