July 4th is the day the Americans celebrate Independence Day marking the legal separation of the American colonies from Great Britain which occurred in 1776. It is a date that defines their history and birth as a nation.

 

We want to celebrate today the greatest event in history, which is the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

 

We however celebrate our Dependence on 'the Son of God who loved and gave Himself for us.'

 

We celebrate our dependence on Jesus because that is exactly the life that Jesus demonstrated and lived, with his dependence on His Father - 'By myself I can do nothing; I judge only as I hear, and my judgment is just, for I seek not to please myself but him who sent me.' (John 5:30).

 

Our strength is not in our independence but in our dependence on Him. The Bible is full of remarkable people who demonstated this dependence on God. That is the life that we too are called to live.