Declarations of Independence The very ones upon whom there is dependence for protection and provision can often impose restrictive and demanding conditions that are most harmful to those they should be serving. The fallacy in these conditions alone is not sufficient for their termination, however, as the vast majority of ill-treated throughout history have merely bent and submitted. Those who have found freedom have first recognized their incongruity with justice and then gained enough confidence in a vision for liberation from their condition that they formally declared complete separation from any dependence on or requirements of that destructive entity. This is how America came to be known as the land of the free and the home of the brave. It was because of those who would no longer tolerate obvious violations of basic human rights and were brave enough to declare that they would live their lives apart from any dependence that would deprive them of those rights. In the simple declaration of July, 1776, grievances were laid out, along with a statement of intent that enabled what would indeed be complete freedom from an unjust king. It was the declaration that released and empowered a nation’s destiny. Through every moment since penned, it has rendered inspiration, motivation and hope to all who would fulfill its vision. Since the choice in the garden to depend on counsel other than God’s, there have been ongoing demands and imposing conditions placed on us by Adam’s choice of ruler. Yielding to the requirements of the flesh and decisions of human reasoning have resulted in the loss of many basic rights and the fulfilling of God-given purpose. Far too many have merely given in to these demands and lived in service to the one who only kills, steals, and destroys. In the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus, however, a way was made for complete independence from what the world or the flesh might provide. For all who will no longer tolerate the injustice of satan’s imposition, a simple declaration of separation from any reliance on him will open the way to a life of freedom and bravery. From the first moment of its forming and throughout eternity, the application of this declaration effectively liberates from any servitude to that old imposing and restrictive king. Whenever and wherever he rises up to bind and imprison, the declaration of the redeemed effectively crushes all his authority and power. Proclaiming total reliance on the power of Jesus blood removes all dependence on sin’s demands and opens the door to unhindered blessings of righteousness. Though fully provided in the Christ, this freedom is only in need of a simple declaration of independence. The Declaration of Independence, written by Thomas Jefferson and adopted by the Second Continental Congress, states the reasons the British colonies of North America sought independence in July of 1776. The declaration opens with a preamble describing the document's necessity in explaining why the colonies have overthrown their ruler and chosen to take their place as a separate nation in the world. All men are created equal and there are certain unalienable rights that governments should never violate. These rights include the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. When a government fails to protect those rights, it is not only the right, but also the duty of the people to overthrow that government. In its place, the people should establish a government that is designed to protect those rights. Governments are rarely overthrown, and should not be overthrown for trivial reasons. In this case, a long history of abuses has led the colonists to overthrow a tyrannical government. The King of Great Britain, George III, is guilty of 27 specific abuses. The King interfered with the colonists' right to self-government and for a fair judicial system. Acting with Parliament, the King also instituted legislation that affected the colonies without their consent. This legislation levied taxes on the colonists. It also required them to quarter British soldiers, removed their right to trial by jury, and prevented them from trading freely. Additionally, the King and Parliament are guilty of outright destruction of American life and property by their refusal to protect the colonies' borders, their confiscation of American ships at sea, and their intent to hire foreign mercenaries to fight against the colonists. The colonial governments tried to reach a peaceful reconciliation of these differences with Great Britain, but were continually ignored. Colonists who appealed to British citizens were similarly ignored, despite their shared common heritage and their just cause. After many peaceful attempts, the colonists have no choice but to declare independence from Great Britain. The new nation will be called the United States of America and will have no further connections with Great Britain. The new government will reserve the right to levy war, make peace, make alliances with foreign nations, conduct trade, and do anything else that nations do. Notes For freedom: Embrace vision of right of life from God Recognition/listing of injustices Declaration of Independence Implementing way of liberty Vision of Life Called out of darkness into light 1 Peter 2:9-10 (NKJV) 9 But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; 10 who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy. Every Christ declaration – abundant life John 10:10 (NKJV) 10 The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. List of Injustices To be free – must separate, become independent 2 Corinthians 6:16-18 (NKJV) 16 And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God. As God has said: “I WILL DWELL IN THEM AND WALK AMONG THEM. I WILL BE THEIR GOD, AND THEY SHALL BE MY PEOPLE.” 17 Therefore "COME OUT FROM AMONG THEM AND BE SEPARATE, SAYS THE LORD. DO NOT TOUCH WHAT IS UNCLEAN, AND I WILL RECEIVE YOU." 18 “I WILL BE A FATHER TO YOU, AND YOU SHALL BE MY SONS AND DAUGHTERS, SAYS THE LORD ALMIGHTY.” Washed, sanctified, justified 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 (NKJV) 9 Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, 10 nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God. Declarations of Independence The declaration from heart belief - salvation Romans 10:9-10 (NKJV) 9 that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. All things new 2 Corinthians 5:17 (NKJV) 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. What you declare is how things move. Mark 11:23 (NKJV) 23 For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says. Overcome – declaration of Revelation 12:11 (NKJV) 11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death. In Christ – delivered from bondage Colossians 1:13-14 (NKJV) 13 He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, 14 in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins. Independence from sickness – in declaration Isaiah 33:24 (NKJV) 24 And the inhabitant will not say, “I am sick”; The people who dwell in it will be forgiven their iniquity. If God hates – then part of declaration Proverbs 6:16-19 (NKJV) 16 These six things the LORD hates, Yes, seven are an abomination to Him: 17 A proud look, A lying tongue, Hands that shed innocent blood, 18 A heart that devises wicked plans, Feet that are swift in running to evil, 19 A false witness who speaks lies, And one who sows discord among brethren. Implementing Way of Liberty Everything about life – divine nature 2 Peter 1:3-4 (NKJV) 3 as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, 4 by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. In the declarations of God’s abundance is a fullness the yoke can no longer contain. Isaiah 10:27 (AMPC) 27 And it shall be in that day that the burden of [the Assyrian] shall depart from your shoulders, and his yoke from your neck. The yoke shall be destroyed because of fatness [which prevents it from going around your neck]. [Deu 32:15] In Christ – complete Colossians 2:9-10 (NKJV) 9 For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; 10 and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power. Live in the fullness of the declaration Colossians 1:9-12 (NKJV) 9 For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; 10 that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; 11 strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, for all patience and longsuffering with joy; 12 giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light. Overview – Declarations of Independence For Freedom: Embrace vision of right of life from God Recognition/listing of injustices Declaration of Independence Implementing way of liberty Prayer: “Father, open my eyes to the abundant life You have provided for me in Christ. Help me to recognize areas where dependence on things of this world are inhibiting that life in me. From your Word and by Your Spirit fill my mouth with declarations of the freedom that is mine over those areas, and help me to walk in the liberty that is mine in You.” Action: Approach the throne of grace with boldness, claiming your place as a child of God. Identify areas of worldly stronghold – attitudes, behaviors, unrighteousness. By faith declare your independence and freedom from them. Intentionally walk in the liberty that is your promise over them, glorifying God. Declaration: “Though my passions and desires were once full of dependence on things from the world, I have been delivered from their dominance by the power of Jesus’ blood. I now declare my complete independence from each one of them. As they may rise to dominate again, my declaration and testimony will remain that I’ve been completely set free from them to completeness in Christ.”