ILI Core Leadership Blog. Building Leaders on Biblical Core Values.

Ayla Wells 7/5/19 Ayla Wells 7/5/19

Independence or Freedom

July 4th in America is a day of celebrating independence. However, there is a different type of freedom that is offered to everyone and should be celebrated every day. Find out about that freedom here!

This week is the celebration of America’s Independence Day, July 4th. Americans often celebrate their independence by grilling burgers and hot dogs, making homemade ice cream, waving their flags, and shooting fireworks throughout the day and night.

THE SACRIFICE IS WORTH IT

Independence is worth a lot, so naturally, people must give a lot in order to obtain it. The sacrifice is worth it, however, when the alternative is tyranny and oppression. We should be grateful to all who have sacrificed and do sacrifice much for our nation to remain independent.

Think for a moment, however, about a greater tyranny and a stronger oppression: the slavery of sin. It is far more oppressive than any political system or human ruler as it impacts every person on the planet. No one is immune to this slavery regardless of race, creed, nationality, socio-economic status, education, or address. It not only enslaves us in this life, destroying our joy and our freedom, but it also impacts our eternity, ensuring we will be forever enslaved in its misery.

THE COST OF FREEDOM

But, we are offered freedom! In Christ, we have freedom from the penalty, power, and (eventually) presence of sin. This independence is more complete than anyone else could ever offer as even those living in the most repressive nations, under the most cruel dictators, can be given freedom in Jesus Christ that can not be taken away, even by torture and imprisonment.

Freedom always comes at a cost, however. The cost for our freedom was paid for through the death of Jesus Christ on the cross. In Him, through Him, and because of Him,

He has broken the chains of our oppression and set us free!

It is interesting that this freedom does not come through rebellion against tyrannical authority, but through our surrenderance to an absolute, sovereign, eternal King. True freedom, freedom that resides within the body of Christ, is offered to us through Jesus Christ. In Him, we are given a life of freedom by surrendering to the One who has and will always have all wisdom, all power, all authority, and who loves with a perfect love.

That freedom is worth celebrating EVERY DAY!

The Power of Pentecost

Pentecost is not just a historical event but an ongoing reality that empowers believers with the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit for holy living and bold witness. Christian leaders today are invited to lead not from their own strength but from the transformative power and presence of God within.

Ash Wednesday

As Lent commences on Ash Wednesday, we are entering a time of introspection and prayer leading to Easter. Let us reflect on the significance of death preceding resurrection, urging readers to embrace a daily practice of surrendering self in preparation for our spiritual transformation.

Being Connected

Despite being more technologically linked than ever, studies now show loneliness and disconnection are at an all-time high. How does this trend truly affect your spiritual life and personal connection with God?

Maintaining a Life of Integrity

Every believer agrees that maintaining our integrity is one of best things we could for our spiritual life, but does it have to be so difficult. Read more to find out how to build consistency with maintaining your integrity.

Who You Are When No One is Looking

In a broken world that is constantly trying to bring us down, striving for genuine righteousness throughout our lives is not easy, but the good news is… it is possible.

Five Things You May Not Know About the Lord’s Prayer

Do you Pray “The Prayer?” This prayer unites Christians in all parts of the world. Though the Lord’s Prayer is well known to believers everywhere, when you look hard at its words, you can learn from how this prayer can guide and impact your daily life.

The Cross

The cross casts the most significant shadow in all of human history. It is where we see the righteousness, justice, and love of God working together for our great good. This Easter, our thoughts are centered around the cross, upon which Jesus Christ was crucified.

Lion and the Lamb

The scriptures speak of Jesus in extremes, as both the Lion of the tribe of Judah and the Lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world. The most important thing to remember is that Jesus is always able to be exactly what you need!

An Outpouring of the Holy Spirit

Everyone has their own opinion about what has happened at the events sounding the revival at Asbury University. But it is hard to deny there is truly a movement of God taking place.

Three Ways Christian Leaders Lead Differently

Here are three key aspects of leadership to consider if you want to lead from a true Biblical perspective.

Trust But Verify

In order to navigate between what is true in our world today, the adage “trust, but verify,” is an essential concept as we learn to discern God’s voice from all the other voices surrounding us.

Proclamation and Practice

In many parts of the world, Christians can practice their faith but can not proclaim it. Does your life help others see and hear the Gospel?

Ayla Wells 7/6/18 Ayla Wells 7/6/18

INDEPENDENCE AND FREEDOM

What does independence look like for YOU? Independence doesn’t bring freedom. Christ alone brings freedom through complete surrender.

Independence and freedom are words that seem to go hand in hand. This is especially true in the United States as evidenced by the 4th of July, also known as Independence Day, which is a national holiday. It is the date in which the Declaration of Independence was formally ratified in 1776 by the founding Fathers of the United States. The document declared the colonies of America to be free and independent from British rule and an independent nation. This Declaration of Independence is all about freedom. The Statue of Liberty in the New York harbor has a famous quote which includes the invitation to those who are “yearning to breathe free.”

Freedom doesn't come from independence

We, in the US, take our freedom seriously. We have a Constitution that guarantees us certain “rights,” or freedoms. Most wars we fight are for the stated purpose of freedom for some people, somewhere. We are committed to maintaining our personal freedoms in every situation. In fact, the idealized version of the American Dream and the “true, great American,” is a person who has made him or herself successful. Someone who achieved success by themselves, someone who is strong, self-sufficient, and fiercely independent.

These may be good qualities in a general sense, but in reality, this perception is based on fool’s gold. No one achieves freedom through independence. We are mistaken if we measure our freedom by an absence of rules imposed upon us. We recognize this as a nation, and thus we have rules for the governance of our country. The reality for many of us, though, is we chafe at rules which limit us personally. We want to be free to make our own decisions about what impacts our lives. We mistakenly believe complete independence will bring about complete freedom.

Freedom is in christ alone

So, we violate God’s rules for our lives, seeking to live free and be independent. This is the sin of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, and we have not learned from their mistake. We make the same mistake and likewise suffer drastic consequences. We desire to be free from God’s design for sexual relations, and suffer the brutal carnage of violence, disease, broken homes, generational curses, emotionally shattered people. We want to be free from God’s command for sobriety, and we suffer loss of health, jobs, families, and even life itself.

We reject God’s parameters for how we should live and relate to others, and we suffer from all manner of crime, as well as everything from racism to bullying in middle school. Absolute independence doesn’t really bring about freedom. True freedom comes when one lives in perfect compliance with the purposes and plans of the Creator. This is possible only through complete surrender to Jesus Christ.

“When the Son sets you free, you are free indeed.”