As infants, we’re dependent on others to supply our food, clothing, shelter, a place to sleep, and many other needs. As we mature, we become conditionally dependent. We feed, bathe, and dress ourselves, for example, but we still don’t have the resources to buy our food and clothing.
The day finally comes when we no longer reside with our parents or guardians. We have a job and a separate place to live. We meet most of our own needs. We become conditionally independent.
When adversity strikes, however, we still rely on parents, guardians, or friends for advice and resources. This kind of independence is a good thing (1 Thessalonians 4:12).
No one is unconditionally independent. “Life Below Zero” is a television show that films independent people who live in the Alaskan wilderness. They are proud of their ability to live off the land, but they couldn’t without the guns, bullets, tools, vehicles, fuel, etc. that they obtain from others. We live interdependent lives.
I type this blog on a computer I didn’t manufacture in a room heated by electricity I didn’t generate and filled with furniture I didn’t make. That is just the tip of the iceberg of my interdependence with others.
Healthy Christians live conditionally independently, unconditionally dependently on God, and interdependently with other Christians.
A healthy relationship with God is like returning to the dependency of infancy spiritually. That might be why Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, unless you turn from your sins and become like little children, you will never get into the Kingdom of Heaven” (Matthew 18:3 NLT).
This blog focuses on living dependently on God including trusting and believing in Him and His Son.
We must trust the Lord wholeheartedly and, in His grace, and protection instead of our understanding and wisdom (Psalm 11:1, Proverbs 3:5, 2 Corinthians 1:12). We dare not place our faith in our allies and their military might (Isaiah 10:20, 30:3, 31:1, 48:2) or our idols (Psalm 31:6). None of them are adequate substitutes for God.
The Lord is good to us who depend on and search for him (Psalm 34:10, Lamentations 3:25). We are blessed, secure, corrected, stable, and rewarded (Psalm 125:1, Isaiah 26:4, Jeremiah 17:17, Zephaniah 3:2, Hebrews 10:35).
God is our hope and confidence (Jeremiah 17:7). Trusting in Him, we will never be put to shame (Isaiah 49:23). We will no longer remain in the dark (John 12:46) but possess eternal life (John 5:24). God chose us to know and believe in Him (Isaiah 43:10) without seeing miraculous signs and wonders (John 4:48). Not believing in Him is sin (John 16:9).
Depending on Him empowers us to act lovingly and justly and do good (Psalm 37:3, Hosea 12:6) with no concern for personal profit (Micah 3:11). We trust in Christ’s power within us and the new strength He gives to serve Him (Isaiah 40:31, Colossians 1:29). We remain in Jesus to produce much fruit for His Kingdom and glory (John 15:5), teach and influence unbelievers to trust Him also (Psalm 40:3, Proverbs 22:19), and bring praise and glory to God (Ephesians 1:12). See additional free spiritual growth resources for Christians. #discipleshipresources #evangelismresources #christianleadershipresources
See free spiritual growth resources for Christians at https://www.christiangrowthresources.com.
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