“Jesus said to the Jews who believed in him, “You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teaching. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” They responded, “We are Abraham’s children; we’ve never been anyone’s slaves. How can you say that we will be set free?” Jesus answered, “I assure you that everyone who sins is a slave to sin. A slave isn’t a permanent member of the household, but a son is. Therefore, if the Son makes you free, you really will be free.”John 8:31-36 CEB
http://bible.com/37/jhn.8.31-36.ceb
Slaves are not sons.
Slaves are bound to a master and separated from the benefits of the home.
Sons are free to enjoy the benefits of the home.
Slaves work for a master.
Sons work for their father.
Slaves are punished.
Sons are disciplined.
Slaves are obligated by duty.
Sons are driven by love.
Slaves are replaceable.
Sons are invaluable.
Jesus addresses those who believe in Him but don’t fully understand.
They were Jews, sons of Abraham. Ones who believed in the Abrahamic covenant and that the Messiah would come to make them a great and powerful people.
While the Jews were sons of Abraham,
Jesus was letting them know:
1) Though they were religious, they were not sons of Abraham but of Satan.
The son is identified by who he works for. Both sons and slaves work for someone. Jesus was revealing that those who don’t believe and follow Hos teaching work for Satan and not God or Abraham. If they would have worked for Abraham—a man of righteousness—then they would know who the Father is and therefore know who Jesus really is.
2) how to become sons of God.
It wasn’t believing in Jesus as a deliverer but believing in Jesus as God’s incarnate son and following Jesus’ teachings that made them sons of God.
Sons are made when they are set free from sin.
Freedom comes when we know the truth.
Truth comes when we believe Jesus is God and faithfully follow His teachings.
There is a difference between believing in Jesus and being a disciple of Jesus. Disciples show they believe in Jesus by following what Jesus teaches.
They are the ones who experience the freedom that only comes from being set free by Jesus.
When we experience the freedom of Jesus, we no longer are slaves to sin or fear. When we experience the freedom of Jesus through trusting in what Jesus did on the cross and following Him we are now free to love. Love is what overcomes sin and fear.
Are you a son or a slave?
Are you bound by fear and sin or are you free to love and be loved?