Are We Slaves Or Sons?
Some churches have formal services reflected in their choice of music and attire. Other churches are contemporary and relaxed in their pursuit of corporate worship. No matter what style is used, no matter what attire is common, and no matter what beliefs are closely held, there are always expectations placed on persons desiring to join in fellowship.
Expectations imply the lack of freedom. Slaves perform precisely because they are expected to. It is only the sons and daughters who are free to do as they will.
Jesus said to the people who believed in him, “You are truly my disciples if you keep obeying my teachings. And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” “But we are descendants of Abraham,” they said. “We have never been slaves to anyone on earth. What do you mean, ‘set free’?” Jesus replied, “I assure you that everyone who sins is a slave of sin. A slave is not a permanent member of the family, but a son is part of the family forever. So if the Son sets you free, you will indeed be free. John 8:30-36
Now, I’m sure that some people will disagree with my assertion that sons and daughters are as free as I imply. They have to obey the rules of the home just like everyone else. This may be true in some homes, but it is not true in God’s house. In His domain, everyone is entirely free to do as they will, and they are free to reap the blessings or experience the consequences of their actions.
This is a tremendously risky way to run a home, but it’s the only kind of home where love and respect are found in their purest forms. When a child comes of age as a son or a daughter, they no longer obey because it is expected of them, they obey because they understand and want to support the parents whom they love. When Christians finally come of age, we will support the
What would Christian churches be like if they dropped the expectations of beliefs held in common and simply focused on learning to love God supremely and their neighbor as themselves? I’ve no doubt that there would be a bit of chaos at first. We are not very good with freedom. But in time as the slaves matured to be true sons and daughters of the Kingdom, Christian churches would be transformed and powerful beyond all belief.
When an individual is completely free to join a Christian fellowship, and there is an atmosphere throughout the church to truly understand that freedom, members will blossom as never before and the Christian church will finally be in a place to lead the world by example not mandate.
For further consideration of these thoughts feel free to read Paul’s letter to the Romans. He discusses these kinds of ideas at length.