It's a clever word game but not accurate. It is talking about a lifestyle of sin, not particular sins.
It's much more than just a word game. It's very important for you and other believers, to understand that Sin is a sign, a sign as obvious as the Rainbow was to Noah. Only this sign comes from our being born into sin. Sin is a sign which remains in us, until that day comes, when we are Born Again.
I see these teachings very clearly, but, thats probably because my understanding comes from the Holy Spirit. So these teachings may not be as clear to you as they are to me.
So...I don't know if I can, but I'll try to open your eyes, as the spirit has mine.
John is simply repeating the teaching Jesus gave in (
John 8:34-35), Where Jesus gives us the Sign, a sign which can give us an absolute assurance of our Salvation.
Jesus replied, "I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever.
Now according to Jesus, The very Author of Salvation...
.
How do you know, if you are a Slave to sin?
Jesus tells us very clearly that, "
If you sin, you are....a slave to sin".
Therefore...Sin is your sign, a sign which tells you if you are a slave to sin or not.
This sign is there so we will have no excuse on judgement day, will not be able to use the excuse..."
I didn't know I was a Slave."
Everyone born into sin, and has not been born of God, carries this sign. A sign that not only tells us if we are a Slave to sin, but when it's removed, it becomes a sign of our salvation.
Brother.....I'm not asking you to believe me, but I'm begging you to believe what Jesus tells you.
According to Jesus,
Is the slave a permanent member of the Family of God?
No...
What does Jesus mean by....permanent?
Jesus is referring to those who have been Adopted into the family of God as promised in (John 14:36)..And talked about sometimes in Pauls epistles.
Example....
(Romans 8:14-15)
For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.
(Romans 6:6-7)
Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. For he that is dead is freed from sin.
Paul is a great source, but for now I'm only using him as another reference. Have always found it strange how people need me to confirm the truth of the teachings of Jesus Christ through what Paul taught, but they don't need to confirm to me, what they believe, are the teachings of Paul, through what Jesus taught.
According to Jesus, How did the Sons get free of sin, to receive adoption into the family of God?
(John 8:36) So, if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.
How do they know they have been set free?
Because they no longer sin, for sin is the sign they are a slave to sin.
Many folks, like you, do not believe this, but...
Why would someone who is now free to serve God...continue to sin against God, if they have obtained their freedom to serve God??
More confirmation...notice what Paul says below, that which leads to righteousness.
( Romans 6:16-18)
Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.