Declaration of Independence Jn 8:36 CLICK TITLE FOR AUDIO

Excerpts from the declaration of independence encourage us to declare our independence from our former tyrannical rulers, the devil, the world and the flesh.

When in the Course of human events it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.

— That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed,

— That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.

— Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government. The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world.

Then the Facts of abuses and usurpations are listed in the declaration.  Finally, the declaration concludes with this paragraph:

We, therefore, the Representatives of the United States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these united Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States, that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as Free and Independent States, they have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace, contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent States may of right do.

— And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes, and our sacred Honor.

Have you ever made a declaration of independence against those forces which were unjustly governing you?  When you were saved you were made free [Jn 8:32, 36].  You should make a declaration of independence today and pledge your life, your fortune and your sacred honor to its defense.

You should draft a declaration of independence which states that:

I will be governed by God; not the devil – Before we were saved we were under the devil’s control [1 Jn 3:10; Jn 8:44].  When we were saved, we became a child of God [Jn 1:12; 1 Jn 3:10].  Now, we should declare our independence from the devil and voluntarily adopt the government of God Almighty [1 Pet 5:6-11; 1 Thes 4:1].

I will be governed by God’s word, not the world – Before you were saved, you were governed by the world [Eph 2:2-3; Jas 4:4].  Now that you are saved, you declare your independence from the world and follow God’s words [2 Cor 6:17-18; Rom 12:1-2; Matt 4:4].

I will be governed by God’s Spirit, not the flesh – Before you were saved, you served sin in your flesh [Rom 8:5a; Rom 8:7-8].  Now that you are saved, you must not let sin reign in your body [Rom 6:12-14].  Declare your independence from your flesh.  Walk in the Spirit, instead [Gal 5:16-18].

Conclusion: while our forefathers were suffering abuses and usurpations under the British Crown, they realized that they must declare their independence and form a new government to come out from under the tyranny.  Likewise, you must come out from under the tyranny of the devil, the world and the flesh.  Receive Jesus and he will make you free.  Declare your independence from your tyrannical governors and submit yourself to God’s form of government.  And then fight to preserve your liberty in Christ.