God has called us sons and daughters, but his people sometimes talk as if we were still slaves. What does it mean to talk like children of God? Today’s question is from Jordan. “Good afternoon, Pastor John. I was recently listening to episode 1322, “He Killed His Wife and Children — Can He Really Be Forgiven?” What you said about the older brother jumped out at me: ‘The problem with the older brother is that he lived like a slave, not a son. He related to his father as if his work would earn good things, instead of enjoying the fellowship of the father’s bounty.’ That’s a great principle pulled from Luke 15:17 17 But when he came to himself he said, How many hired servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare, and I perish here with hunger! –24. I often struggle with knowing in my heart that no good work can ever be enough to please God. I think in my mind that God is surely not pleased enough with me. I fear I live like this older brother. How do you live as a son and not a slave? How would I know if I am living as a slave?” Episode 1370: https://www.desiringgod.org/interviews/how-do-i-live-like-a-son-rather-than-a-slave Related Resources: “He Killed His Wife and Children — Can He Really Be Forgiven?” https://youtu.be/6GgPCvKcCpY “Will We Be Finally ‘Saved’ by Faith Alone?” https://youtu.be/8dh4Ifb4vCY “Will We Meet Jesus as Soon as We Die?” https://youtu.be/AvnGL1FCAWY “How Does God’s Sovereignty Not Violate Our Decision-Making?” https://youtu.be/ja6IX3A_MZM Ask Pastor John Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLFF7F6AE365DA3564 Find other recent and popular Ask Pastor John episodes, http://desiringgod.org/ask-pastor-john