The good kind and the bad kind
March 3, 2010 (Wednesday)
Yesterday was Texas Independence Day, the day in 1836 when Texas declared independence from Mexico. The battle at the Alamo was taking place, and a spirit of independence was in the air. At least eleven Mexican states also declared their independence from the government led by Santa Ana. Only the territory of Texas was successful in securing independence from Mexico. All the others were brought into submission. The Alamo fell on March 6, but on April 21 the Texans defeated Santa Ana and his army at San Jacinto, and Texas became an independent nation.
Independence is a much-desired quality. The Declaration of Independence of the United States was a “do or die” document. Once the revolution began, only victory would be sufficient. The fact is, however, that the odds in no way favored the colonists and it seemed their defeat was a foregone conclusion. It is hard to look at that part of our history without believing that God must have had a hand in that victory.
Independence is an admired trait in a person. We admire the person who makes his own way and depends on himself without expecting help from others. Yet it must be stated also that interdependence is sometimes needed. Working together is good. Cooperation is great. Joining hands and hearts in a great cause generates enthusiasm and energy.
The fact of the matter is that the man and woman that God first created decided to act independently of God. They had no declaration of independence; they just rebelled and asserted it. They sinned by disobeying God’s clear commands. All their descendants have made the same error. It is a serious matter, for, after all, the Scriptures themselves make a special point of it: “The wages of sin is death!” (Romans 6:23).
To all us rebels, God calls and invites us to come to our senses by accepting his forgiveness and grace and living our lives His way. “‘Come now, and let us reason together,’ says the Lord. ‘Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow. Though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool'” (Isaiah 1:18).