The last two posts have looked at the difference between the way Jesus and the Apostles promised freedom, and the way people typically think about freedom today. Of course, we’ve seen the two ways of thinking are basically opposite. So when Jesus says, “everyone who practices sin is a slave to sin,” and promises that, “the truth will set you free,” and that, “if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed,” we need to stop and think: What kind of vision of humanity is present here? What is Jesus really getting at?
What does it mean about us, if true freedom is the true expression of what it means to be human–and that true freedom is the freedom to have full control over our minds and bodies to know God and do his will? (See Galatians 5:23, Romans 6:13)
In other words, what are we, if sin is beneath us, if ignorance of God is inhuman, and if our true status–the one we were created for–is to work and build what is good and right and true?
Think about it! Does the world which shouts through all the screens offer a better vision of humanity than this? Aren’t they pushing a naked offer of slavery? Aren’t they saying, “You have no choice, you were born to want certain things, and you just have to live your whole life to get those things. You can’t ever change. There’s no use trying. Give in! Do what you want, all the time! Don’t even try to resist. It’s your destiny!”…?
So Jesus says: “This is slavery.”
And is he ok with it? Well, here’s what he says in John 8:35–“The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son remains forever.”
Coupled with the rest of that passage, I guess this means that Jesus has a better way for us. He wants everyone to be a child of God (a status far above that of being heart-slaves), and Jesus wants all the children in the house…forever.