When American founders declared independence from England, they did it with reference to God the Creator. What was their motive? How is independence important in Christians today?

1. Declaration of Independence

2. independent
adjective
1. not influenced or controlled by others in matters of
opinion, conduct, etc.; thinking or acting for oneself: an
independent thinker.
2. not subject to another's authority or jurisdiction;
autonomous; free: an independent businessman.
3. not influenced by the thought or action of others:
independent research.
4. not dependent; not depending or contingent upon
something else for existence, operation, etc.
5. not relying on another or others for aid or support.
6. rejecting others' aid or support; refusing to be under
obligation to others.
7. possessing a competency: to be financially
independent.
http://www.dictionary.com/browse/independent

3. evident, that all men are created
equal, that they are endowed by
their Creator with certain
unalienable Rights, that among
these are Life, Liberty and the
pursuit of Happiness.”This has been called "one of the best-known sentences in the English language”,
containing "the most potent and consequential words in American history”.
It represents a moral standard to which the United States should strive.
Abraham Lincoln considered the Declaration of Independence to be the
foundation of his political philosophy, and argued that it is a statement of
principles through which the United States Constitution should be interpreted.
Lincoln made this sentence the centerpiece of his rhetoric and his policies.
Since then, it has become a well-known statement on human rights.
The United States Declaration of Independence has inspired many other similar
documents in other countries around the world.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Declaration_of_Independence

4. When to Unite; and
When to Declare Independence.
Believe me, dear Sir: there is not in the British
empire a man who more cordially loves a union
with Great Britain than I do. But, by the God that
made me, I will cease to exist before I yield to a
connection on such terms as the British
Parliament propose; and in this, I think I speak
the sentiments of America.
— Thomas Jefferson, November 29, 1775

5. Did America’s Founding Fathers care about the Great
Commission?
Was that their motive to separate from England?
Is it the motive of church leaders you know today?
Matthew 28:19-20 (NIV)
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations,
baptizing them in the name of the Father and
of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching
them to obey everything I have commanded
you. And surely I am with you always, to the
very end of the age.”

6. The Right to Become a Child of God
John 1:12-13
Yet to all who did receive him, to those who
believed in his name, he gave the right to become
children of God— children born not of natural
descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will,
but born of God.
As a child of God, my ultimate authority is my Father.
Every other child of God is my sibling. God treats His
children fairly.

7. All One
Galatians 3:24-28
So the law was our guardian until Christ came that
we might be justified by faith. Now that this faith
has come, we are no longer under a guardian.
So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through
faith, for all of you who were baptized into Christ
have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither
Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there
male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.

8. Christian Leaders
I Peter 5:1-3
To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder
and a witness of Christ’s sufferings who also will
share in the glory to be revealed:
Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care,
watching over them—not because you must, but
because you are willing, as God wants you to be;
not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve;
not lording it over those entrusted to you, but
being examples to the flock.