A Child, not a Slave

Scripture: I am using an example from everyday life because of your human limitations. Just as you used to offer yourselves as slaves to impurity and to ever-increasing wickedness, so now offer yourselves as slaves to righteousness leading to holiness. Romans 6:19

Observation: Just a few weeks ago I discussed the "slave" element of sin - that those who wish to be "free" refuse to be a "slave" to God's law, and thus actually become slaves to their sins. Here, Paul discusses this idea in detail, but includes a key detail: He is speaking metaphorically. He is "using an example from everyday life" to help humans understand ... but there is something more to this than "you are a slave to righteousness", and that something more is found two chapters later ...

"For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, 'Abba, Father.'" Romans 8:14-15

Application: THIS is the true clarification of the discussion on freedom and slavery. Those who seek "freedom" by rejecting God find themselves slaves to sin. However, those who offer themselves as slaves to righteousness through Jesus Christ find themselves adopted children of God.

To be clear: A child is not free to do whatever they wish. My children have some ability to choose their own activities, but they still function within guides - the rules of our house. When they were very young, they had less freedom, and they mostly were to do as we told them. As they matured, we now mostly give them guidelines and trust they will follow them. When they don't (and sometimes they don't), we correct them, pull back on some freedoms, then see how they respond.

The key difference is love. We have rules to protect and love our children, and take pride when they succeed. This is the view of God with believers: We are not slaves, we are children, God loves us, and he takes pride when we succeed.

So as Paul says - we offer ourselves as slaves to righteousness, and thus we are adopted children of God.

Prayer: Daddy, I seek to earn your approval. I know I don't need to earn your love (which you've already poured out on me) or your grace (which Jesus already won), but I wish to make you proud. I long to hear you say "well done". I yearn to feel your smile upon me. I pray for a pat on the back. These are the things I have earned far too rarely due to my own shortcomings. I am sorry. I will try to do better. Amen.