Dependence
True repentance involves stepping out of independence and into dependence on God.
Major Ian Thomas emphasizes the critical distinction between living for oneself, which leads to walking after the flesh, and living for Christ, which leads to walking after the Spirit. He explains that human behavior is governed by two opposing principles: dependence on God versus independence, which is equated with sin. Thomas challenges listeners to examine the underlying principles of their actions, highlighting that true repentance involves returning to a state of dependence on God. He asserts that any area of life lacking dependence indicates a need for further repentance.
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To live "to and for yourself" is to "walk after the flesh"!
To live "to and for Christ" is to "walk after the Spirit"!
These are the two principles of human behavior. It is not just a matter of degree, it is a matter of kind; to be dominated by the "flesh" is to be dominated by the devil; and to be dominated by the Spirit is to be dominated by God.
Two men doing identically the same thing may at the same time, by their identical act, be demonstrating two different principles of behavior, which are diametrically opposed to each other.
What is the principle that governs your behavior?
I am not asking you the nature of your behavior; I am asking you the principle from which it springs!
You will remember that we have seen sin defined in the Bible as independence: "whatsoever is not of faith is sin" (Romans 14:23), an attitude of "lawlessness" (I John 3:4); what then does repentance involve? It involves stepping out of independence back into dependence - and the measure of your repentance will be the measure of your dependence!
Every area of your life, in which you have not learned to be dependent, is an area of your life in which you have not as yet repented.
Sermon Outline
- The Two Principles of Human Behavior
- The Consequences of Each Principle
- The Importance of Dependence
- Repentance involves stepping out of independence back into dependence
- The measure of your repentance is the measure of your dependence
Key Quotes
“To live 'to and for yourself' is to 'walk after the flesh'!” — Major Ian Thomas
“To live 'to and for Christ' is to 'walk after the Spirit'!” — Major Ian Thomas
“Repentance involves stepping out of independence back into dependence” — Major Ian Thomas
Application Points
- Reflect on the principle that governs your behavior and consider whether it is independence or dependence.
- Recognize areas of your life where you have not learned to be dependent and seek to repent and step into dependence.
- Understand that the measure of your repentance is the measure of your dependence on God.