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Be independent in all respects
Pastor's corner
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America declared herself free July 4, 1776, when our forefathers signed the Declaration of Independence. The 13 original colonies protested the limitations placed on them by the king of England and broke away from his rule.
More than 200 years later, we still celebrate our country’s independence with family picnics and fire crackers. But after the excitement dies down, we face the reality that our nation is not as independent as it used to be. America is the greatest nation I know, but it is financially dependent on other nations — it’s like we are in bondage again. This time, however, we’re under financial rule.
The Bible tells us in Proverbs 22:7 that “the borrower is servant to the lender” and that cripples our independence. When the debt is paid, the role is reversed.
There is another debt that we all acquired individually, and we cannot repay it ourselves. That debt was incurred with the disobedience of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. God put Adam there and gave him full charge of the garden. God also gave him a wife.
The enemy of mankind, Satan, who had been kicked out of Heaven came in the form of a serpent to deceive Adam and Eve, and he was successful. Sin came into play, and man lost his independence and freedom.
Sin came down through the bloodline of mankind for we are descendants of Adam and Eve. God, in the form of His son Jesus, came and gave us back our freedom. Through Christ shedding His blood on Calvary and taking our place as the supreme sacrifice for sin, He became our way back to freedom. He helped us become independent from Satan, who had bound us with the ropes of sin. Now, the debt that we were not capable of repaying ourselves is “paid in full” by way of the cross and the resurrection of our Savior, Jesus Christ.
As for our country, we can be totally independent from financial bondage — and every other form of bondage — if we seek the Creator (God) more than the creation (man). We should pray for those who are in authority of us, as the Bible instructs us in 1 Timothy 2:1-2. We must believe that God has our president and all others in His hands. And the last time I checked, God most definitely knows what He is doing. The world itself is in so much turmoil that only God can bring us out. So, my advice to all is to call on Him. Let the wicked forsake his way return unto the Lord.

Edwards is the senior pastor at Agape Christian Fellowship Church in Hinesville.

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