This week we former procrastinators celebrate the Fourth of July – the birthday of our country. We may play games, grill out, hit the pool, eat watermelon in the shade, and end the day with bright fireworks. A spirit of gratitude and celebration marks the occasion.
Roughly 200 years ago the American colonies declared themselves free and independent. A long struggle lay ahead, but our young nation counted itself sovereign and strove to establish itself as a new country.
Those of us who have been under the tyranny of procrastination can celebrate too. Instead of declaring ourselves free and independent, we can declare ourselves “Free and Dependent!”
The sovereign Christ exercised His authority on our behalf. He set us free from oppression and captivity. He forgives us of our past devotion to self that chained us to procrastination. He moves us out of bondage and positions us in liberty – where we can choose to do what needs doing when it needs doing.
Now that He has given us new life, we are dependent on Him to live abundantly. A long struggle may lie ahead as we learn to walk in the freedom Christ bought for us. Depending on Him for guidance and strength, we can establish new habits of diligence and rule as He has given us authority.
These scriptures from Romans really empower us to exercise authority over our bent to delay and to build some muscle as we exercise dominion.
“Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him‚Ķ Death no longer has dominion over Him. [Therefore, no dominion over us!] ‚Ķ Likewise you also, reckon (count) yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body, that you should obey it in its lusts‚Ķ For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace.” Romans 6:8-14
“For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death.” We can live in the “glorious liberty of the children of God.” Romans 8:2, 21 (NKJV)
I hereby declare I do not have to bow to brainless TV. I have the authority to choose sleep. I do not have to bow to the urge to overeat, overwork, or do other work. In Christ I am free to choose wisely.
Neither old bents nor the devil has jurisdiction over us. We depend on Christ who set us free. We’re His stewards with authority. What a powerful reason to be grateful and to celebrate!
As you celebrate American independence, from what procrastination habit will you declare yourself “free and dependent”?
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