Yesterday, America celebrated Independence Day! What does the word “independence” mean and how can this word help us in our healing journey? “Independence” means the freedom from control or influence of another or others. For those of us in America, it also means the successful ending of the American Revolution.
On July 4, 1776, the United States of America signed the Declaration of Independence. In the second paragraph of this document, it states that we are endowed by our Creator (God) with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. “Liberty” means the state of not being imprisoned or enslaved; in other words, not being in bondage to anything. If you are sick or struggling with something, you are being imprisoned, enslaved or in bondage. God does not want us to live in bondage. He wants us to be set free.
When we know who we are in Christ, we can live free from sickness and bondage. In 2 Corinthians 5:17, we read that if you are in Christ, you are a new creature in your spirit. You are in Christ, if you have made Jesus the Lord and Savior of your life. Once you accepted Jesus, you received certain rights and privileges as a believer. You became an heir to His promises and legal rights in the spiritual realm (Galatians 4:1-7). Just as it is important for Americans or any other nation to know and understand their rights, it is our responsibility to know our rights as children of God. Once we know our rights and privileges, we need to exercise them!
Hosea 4:6 says, “My people are destroyed (or perish) for lack of knowledge.” If the enemy can keep us ignorant or in unbelief as to our rights as believers, he can keep us in bondage even though we have been set free. Jesus paid the ultimate price at the cross to set us free from the law of sin and death, that includes, sickness, physical and emotional pain, poverty and unforgiveness.
Here are several scriptures showing us the promise of being set free:
- 2 Corinthians 3:17 – Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.
- John 8:36 – Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.
- Ephesians 3:12 in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through faith in Him.
- Acts 13:38-39 38 Therefore let it be known to you, brethren, that through this Man is preached to you the forgiveness of sins; 39 and by Him everyone who believes is justified from all things from which you could not be justified by the law of Moses.
Romans 6:22 shows us how to live free from sin. Instead of being slaves to sin/sickness, we are now to become slaves of God who has given us His righteousness and holiness as well as everlasting life. One of the benefits of everlasting life is living forever in Heaven with God; however, there are amazing benefits and blessings we can have now, right here on earth. Healing is one of those blessings we can have now and not have to wait to go to heaven to be free of sickness and pain.
Jesus defines everlasting life for us in John 17:3 as knowing the one true God and Jesus Christ. Our independence and freedom from sickness, enables us to receive health, wholeness and the ability to know our Creator so personally and intimately.
We need to understand our rights as children of God. Just as our rights in America are freedom to express ourselves, freedom to worship as we wish; our right to a prompt, fair trial by jury, etc.; our rights as children of God are: to be healed, to prosper, to be triumphant, to be victorious, to use the name of Jesus Christ, to have peace, etc.
Know your rights and exercise your Independence!
~Donna Jones