Throughout this study, we have considered how God’s attributes should be reflected in the lives of His children. Some attributes are “communicable,” that is, they can be and ought to be demonstrated in the lives of Christians. Examples of these would be the attributes of God’s love, mercy, truth, holiness, and faithfulness. Other attributes are “noncommunicable,” that is, they cannot be imitated or even approached. God’s omnipotence or eternality are noncommunicable attributes.

What about God’s independence? In one sense, His independence is noncommunicable. God does not receive counsel from anyone nor does He depend on anyone or anything for His Own existence. Regarding this attribute, the Apostle Paul quoted Isaiah 40:13 when he wrote his famous doxology in his letter to the Christians in Rome. “O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out! For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counsellor? Or who hath first given to him, and it shall be recompensed unto him again? For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen” (Romans 11:33–36).

In contrast, man cannot live apart from God. Furthermore, God has created man to live in a society where he is dependent upon civil government for certain protections, dependent upon family for certain provisions, and dependent upon church leaders for intercession and spiritual nourishment. Men are to hold one another accountable, help one another in need, and counsel one another in times of uncertainty. Thus, man can never be truly and sovereignly independent.

Yet, there is certainly a sense in which God created man to reflect His independence in certain defined ways. We have liberty—but it is not absolute liberty. Our liberty is regulated liberty, liberty that is regulated by God’s Word, by God-ordained authority, and by consideration of one another’s needs and weaknesses. We are not free to do whatever we want. We are free to do what is right!

Thus, there are certain ways in which God’s children ought to reflect His attribute of independence. Here are three important ways we can consider regarding independence and our relationship to God.

We should look to God rather than man . . .

As our final Authority

The Apostle Peter replied famously to the authorities who commanded him not to preach anymore in the name of Jesus, “We ought to obey God rather than men” (Acts 5:29). In every generation, believers have had to make similar stands throughout the annals of Christian history. What do we do when a civil or religious authority commands us to do something that the Bible forbids? On the other hand, what if authorities forbid us from doing something the Bible commands us to do?

In these cases, we must obey God rather than men. Choosing to obey God is independence in a positive manner. This independence is regulated by God’s Word. It is true liberty. We are certainly to be subject to the higher powers that God has ordained, but this subjection can never conflict with God’s revealed will. He is the King of kings. He is the Lord of lords. He is the ultimate higher Power to Whom we must all one day give account.

As our priestly Mediator

The Apostle Paul wrote to Timothy, “For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus” (I Timothy 2:5). In most organized religion, man is dependent upon other men to be the mediators with their gods. Pagan religions had their priestly castes. Islam has their imams and ayatollahs. Judaism has their rabbis. Eastern religions have their holy men. Roman Catholicism has its hierarchical system of priests, bishops, archbishops, cardinals, and ultimately the pope himself. In these religious systems, for common people to approach God or receive grace, these holy men must intercede and mediate on their behalf.

However, the Bible declares of our Lord Jesus, “But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building; Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us” (Hebrews 9:11–12). We do not need a temple, a priest, an animal sacrifice, or any human intercessor to approach God. Biblical faith stands independent of all these human devices. We as believers can rely completely, eternally, and directly upon the Lord Jesus Christ.

As our ultimate Helper

While we certainly receive needed assistance at times from our fellow man, as believers we should recognize that our ultimate assistance comes from God. Whether it be financial help, wise counsel, or encouragement, no human source can take the place of God Himself. Oftentimes, too many Christians live in a state of perpetual dependence upon others, thinking that they cannot function without other people that they have come to rely upon.

In the same chapter where Paul said, “Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ” (Galatians 6:2), he also explained, “For every man shall bear his own burden” (Galatians 6:5). Two different Greek words are used for burden in this passage. God’s children are to assist one another with “over-burdens” that cannot be carried alone. But God also has given each one of us our “own burden” that we can and ought to carry by His grace.

As much as possible, we should instruct our children to live independent of human help, teaching them to work hard, save money, solve problems, and be accountable personally to God for spiritual growth and sanctification. In doing so, we will give them the blessing of true and regulated liberty. We must help them learn to reflect in a proper manner this attribute of God, His independence.