October 25, 2021: Romans 8: 12-17; Luke 13: 10-17
The point of discussion in the Word today is the difference between slaves and heirs and their respective traits.
A slave is governed by fear, is ruled by law and bound to restrictions. A slave cannot think beyond oneself and gaining favours by pleasing the one in command. A slave, even when he or she is doing everything for the other, is all the time self centered.
An heir is governed by freedom not fear, and is guided by love and empowered with spontaneity. The heir does not think about just oneself, but about the common good of the family, the community, the whole humanity into which he or she has been created and of the whole creation unto which he or she is a caretaker. The heir does everything for the greater glory of the One who has made him or her heir of a great family, of a great heritage, of a lineage that comes directly from God! Freedom rules out restrictions, love transcends fear and spontaneity despises calculations. An heir never schemes, but lovingly surrenders!
Jesus proves to be the rightful heir, experiencing God as the Abba and feeling the need to render a child of God wholesome. Laws and regulations did not matter to him; threats and warnings looked despicable in his sight. The greatest of all good news is, Christ has given us the same Spirit that was in him, that in our spirit we may be convinced that we are rightful sons and daughters of the merciful God. We are heirs and not just slaves!