THE INDEPENDENT BELIEVER:

Striving For Total Independence Is Only Appropriate For Kids!

Little children have no ability, desire or even reason to NOT seek out their independence and it’s healthy for them, but this becomes problematic when children mature and become believers in Jesus Christ, our LORD. And, we call Him Lord because He made us and purchased us away from our enemy, without Him we would be dead in our bodies already, as we read in John 3:18. Therefore, He owns us and our unfeigned devotion is our reasonable service to HIM, as we read in Romans 12:1. But, after being brought up with cheers coming from adults every time we succeed at even the smallest of milestones, which is proper and cannot be denied children; the need for change can be hard for maturing people to detect.

But for believers, the Bible makes it clear that we must rely on Jesus. He did say ‘you can do nothing without ME!’

“I am the vine, and you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit, for without Me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5)

In secular society independence remains a highly sought after quality that warrants respect and admiration. This propensity is seen in our children as clearly instinctive, because pretty much all parents have had to struggle with their toddlers at times; insisting on doing something without help that does require adult assistance. And why would an unsaved person ever even contemplate any negative aspects to their quest for increased independence as they go on in life?

As for believers, however, there are varying viewpoints, (but only one that is correct.) Some try to do everything for themselves and maintain autonomy. They must believe the old adage, ‘The Lord helps those who helps themselves.’ There are some who live entirely by their feelings and run to God on occasion, like when there’s a problem, and there are those who work with God to train themselves to rely on Him in everything. It varies from believer to believer, because of the untold number of levels in which it is possible to surrender. We don’t all surrender all, like the Bible describes.

But the point is, the independent believer is not nearly as well off as the dependent believer who relies completely on God.

See: Psalm 34:19, Isaiah 41:13, Philippians 4:7 & Matthew 6:33.

The Truth is, God has a part, and we have a part. And even in those parts, we are wise to rely on Him. Yes, He even helps us with our part, by guiding us. He expects us to do the part He assigns us to carry out; the tricky part is “What is my part God, and what is YOURS?”

But understanding our part doesn’t need to be tricky because the Lord will lead us in this, as He does in everything we ask and need of Him:

"If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him." (James 1:5)

Of course there’s nothing wrong with needing help from others in the natural or in any way at all, just as there’s nothing wrong in living alone and doing everything by yourself, but believers need to hang on the VINE in the spirit and go to GOD for everything in life first and foremost, then follow His leading. And His leading may be to get help from someone He points to or take care of things without asking for help, as long as He is directing it ALL, that is what matters most….

Complete and total independence from God completely disparages Scripture and describes the strictly independent believer; utterly addicted to self-care and basically void of God’s imputed wisdom.

Our level of independence should be according to our Father, as everything should be brought under His Will and Sovereignty. We are on a journey, as God graciously takes us from glory to glory—

“But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just a by the Spirit of the Lord.” (2Corinthians 3:18)

God will always provide His Guidance to all who demonstrate sincerity of heart before Him; He is ALWAYS there. We just have to learn to let God be God in our lives and follow His leading. His Word says: “My sheep hear my Voice….”

“My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.” (John 10:27)

“Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me.” (John 15:4)

NKJV