The Sinner, The Servant & The Son

I spoke last week about Jesus making us free. In John chapter 8 we discovered that he was making us free from sin, which we’ve heard over and over again. I add though that those of us who truly walk in this freedom, understand that we are no longer bound and slaves to sin. We are not bound by the minute understanding of behavior based sin, I dare to say we are above it, not from a blameless standpoint, more so from a petty indiscretion, guilt based, legalistic fear driven, anxious point of view. We are not free TO sin, rather than free from the influence of sin. Sin may present itself however it may choose and please, but our new found freedom, releases us from it’s influence and empowers us to overcome the deceitfulness that sin tries to so subtly suggest in our lives. A free life, is a powerful life.

Freedom in Christ delivers us from a life of an overcritical self examination, to a life of divine liberty, where we don’t walk around questioning what is a sin, we know. It is through Jesus that we can see sin for what it is. Also through our connection to God we are empowered to live and love exactly how God expects us to, knowing that if we fall short we have been forgiven, not that we should keep falling but that we may rise above our shortages and still thrive through our circumstance. Jesus pulls out a particular dynamic in his discussion with the Pharisees. He points out the difference between a servant and the son (himself), before ultimately saying whom the son sets free is free indeed. I want to add another person to the conversation.

Luke 15:11–20 KJV 1900

And he said, A certain man had two sons: And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living. And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living. And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want. And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him. And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father’s have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee, And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants. And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.

The Sinner

Selfish-

only thinks or is considerate of their desires

Foolish -

wasteful, moves hastily, wanders with severed ties/connections

Lives Riotously, with no regrets and/or discipline.

Lacks Provision and foresight

The Servant

Works for an expected wage

( Set Amount)

Is never fully compensated for their labor

(Underpaid & undervalued)

Rarely if ever on the receiving end of Mercy

Near but not noticed

(seen & not heard)

The Son

Humble

understands his position in relation to the father

Repentant

Desires to please the Father

Be acceptable not just accepted

Prayer Life! (Who’s approaching the Father)

The Sinner said give me

The son Said I’m not worthy

The father never has anything other than a son but he will treat you according to which version of you approaches him

He’s silent towards the Sinner

Gives only instruction towards the servant

He runs towards the son

He has compassion on the son

He kisses the son

He clothes the son

He cloaks us with his identity

He equips us with his word

He anoints us with his spirit

He blesses us exceedingly and abundantly

He crowns us with glory