July 4, 1776 was a turning point in the history of the world. Up to that time, what we call the United States of America, was a British colony. A new nation was born that day unlike any that the world has ever known—one that would be governed by the people and for the people.
Jesus issued a declaration of independence to his disciples the night before he died. He was about to initiate the greatest turning point in the history of the human race. Up to that time there was confusion about who was right and who was wrong, the destiny of human beings, and who was in charge of the world. After his death and resurrection, when Jesus returned to the Father everything became clear. A new era had begun (John 16:5-11).
“And when he (the Holy Spirit) comes, he will convict the world in regard to sin and righteousness and condemnation: sin, because they do not believe in me; righteousness, because I am going to the Father and you will no longer see me; condemnation, because the ruler of this world has been condemned.”
In the “pre-declaration of independence” phase, everyone was living in sin, that is, disconnected from God. Though the Jews, God’s chosen people, considered themselves superior to the Gentiles and right with God, they too were living in sin. Righteousness or holiness existed only in Jesus, the new Adam, and when he left this earth, the possibility of holiness also left. Humans on their own could not get right with God. Moreover, everyone, other than Jesus, was a slave to the Evil One.
When the death and resurrection of Jesus took place, sin was exposed, the absence of righteousness was exposed, and Satan’ grip was broken. The “condemner was condemned.”
All of this hinged on the coming of the Holy Spirit which could not happen until Jesus ascended to heaven.
“But I tell you the truth, it is better for you that I go. For if I do not go, the Advocate will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you.”
When the Holy Spirit came and began to work wonders in the early Church, it became obvious that the religious leaders who opposed Jesus were wrong—they were in sin. And, when the Holy Spirit came, for the first time since Adam and Eve, it became possible for humans to be righteous—holy. Filled with the Holy Spirit, the members of the Holy Church manifested the presence of the Righteous One, Jesus, in themselves. And, finally, the sacrifice on Calvary and the victory of the resurrection chained the Evil One, so that human beings could find their way back to God. Such was, and is, the amazing work of the Holy Spirit.
There is a misguided belief that Jesus’ declaration applied automatically to everyone; that is, sin disappeared, holiness became the norm, and the devil no longer has influence on human beings. One look at our world today is proof that sin still abounds, holiness of life is rare, and Satan is alive and well. Not everyone shares in the “independence” of Jesus, just as many people in the world do not share in the kind of freedom our country enjoys. Only those who are personally connected to Him share in his victory and have transitioned to the era of the Kingdom of God.
We rejoice today that, being united to Jesus, our sins are forgiven, the Holy Spirit governs our lives, and we are no longer locked in Satan’s prison.
