Declare Your Dependence

REFERENCE:   Acts 22:25 When they tied Paul down to lash him, Paul said to the officer standing there, "Is it legal for you to whip a Roman citizen who hasn’t even been tried?"

Acts 23:6 Paul realized that some members of the high council were Sadducees and some were Pharisees, so he shouted, "Brothers, I am a Pharisee, as were my ancestors! And I am on trial because my hope is in the resurrection of the dead!"

Observation: Paul uses his citizenship rights to his advantage to avoid a beating by the Roman guards. Then in his appearance before the Jewish council he invokes his membership in the sect of Pharisees to divide the group and gain some support from other members. In both cases, Paul declares his dependence on respected standards to ensure his favorable treatment.

Application/Confession: As America celebrates its Independence Day today, we must first acknowledge our total dependence on God's grace and mercy- individually and as a people.  Praise God for the rights and freedoms we enjoy in this country. Just as Paul's citizenship as a Roman provided rights respected in his time, so our American constitutional rights allow us to worship God and express our faith freely.

PRAYER: Lord, thank you for the feedom I have to worship and live for You. Let me take full advantage to be a witness for You.