Much has been made lately of Christian liberty. It seems to be the answer to any sort of ethical ambiguity or rebuke. How could you watch that? Christian liberty! How could you vote for him/her? Christian liberty, of course! How could you do [fill in the blank]? Haven't you ever heard of Christian liberty?! Violating your brother's Christian liberty appears to be the only thing that can't be covered under the Christian liberty clause of Christianity. This abuse of Christian liberty appears to demonstrate a fundamental misunderstanding of what Christian liberty really is.
What do most people mean these days by Christian liberty? It is commonly believed that Christian liberty is the Christian's freedom from "law." By that some mean the Old Testament Law, while others intend law in general--"rules," if you will. In practice, however, Christian liberty often ends up meaning "I'm saved; quit telling me what to do!" This is not always the case, but it is becoming increasingly common. Forgiveness of sins becomes the rationale for licentiousness.
There is a proper place for and meaning of Christian liberty. The Westminster Confession of Faith (20:1) defines it (partly) this way:
Secondly, Christian liberty means that we have been freed from the power of sin. Paul tells us in Romans 6:1-10 that those who died with Christ on the cross have also been raised with Him in His Resurrection. We are no longer slaves to sin. Christ, our kinsman-redeemer, has freed us from the chains of sin, darkness, and the devil.
This second meaning of Christian liberty is much abused. The exact opposite view is often held. Too many Christians view it as a freedom to sin, when the Bible clearly teaches that the freedom Christ brings is freedom from sin! Simply put, if you think that Christian liberty is the freedom to sin, you don't understand that from which you were saved. Certainly our Christian liberty provides us with the comfort that Christ has saved us from our sin. It also frees us from the complex ceremonial system of the Old Covenant. By no means, however, does it free our conscience to sin unabated. Being freed from slavery to sin, would we willingly put those chains back on? Being cleansed from the filth of sin, would we wallow in it again, as pigs return to the mud? Would we be dogs who return to their vomit?
You see, the problem with sin is not just that it condemns us. The problem with sin is that it is opposed to God. It is an affront to Him. He hates it and it offends Him. Anyone who desires to continue in that type of activity should question whether or not his heart has been changed. If you can continually grieve the Holy Spirit without any conviction, you should seriously consider whether or not you have received the Holy Spirit. How can a child of God, redeemed by Christ and regenerated by the Holy Spirit, desire to live in a way that offends His Heavenly Father? Scripture calls us to live in a way that is consistent with our new identity (Colossians 3:1). The idea that forgiveness of sin would lead to freedom to sin is the farthest thing from the New Testament concept of Christian liberty (Romans 6:1-2). No, who who have been set free from sin are slaves of righteousness (Romans 6:18). If you use forgiveness to rationalize your sin, perhaps it is time for deep introspection and prayer.
What do most people mean these days by Christian liberty? It is commonly believed that Christian liberty is the Christian's freedom from "law." By that some mean the Old Testament Law, while others intend law in general--"rules," if you will. In practice, however, Christian liberty often ends up meaning "I'm saved; quit telling me what to do!" This is not always the case, but it is becoming increasingly common. Forgiveness of sins becomes the rationale for licentiousness.
There is a proper place for and meaning of Christian liberty. The Westminster Confession of Faith (20:1) defines it (partly) this way:
"The liberty which Christ has purchased for believers under the Gospel consists in their freedom from the guilt of sin, and condemning wrath of God, the curse of the moral law; and, in their being delivered from this present evil world, bondage to Satan, and dominion of sin..."This excerpt from the Confession's definition identifies two similar, though distinct, elements of Christian liberty. Firstly, the death of Christ on our behalf frees us from guilt. Paul tells us in Romans 8:1 that those who are united to Jesus Christ by faith no longer stand under condemnation. Justification is a done deal. If God has worked in our hearts and we have truly come to saving faith, we are justified. "Who can bring a charge against God's elect?" Paul asks rhetorically a few verses later. We can have assurance of our salvation. We do not have to proceed through life wondering if we will be saved.
Secondly, Christian liberty means that we have been freed from the power of sin. Paul tells us in Romans 6:1-10 that those who died with Christ on the cross have also been raised with Him in His Resurrection. We are no longer slaves to sin. Christ, our kinsman-redeemer, has freed us from the chains of sin, darkness, and the devil.
This second meaning of Christian liberty is much abused. The exact opposite view is often held. Too many Christians view it as a freedom to sin, when the Bible clearly teaches that the freedom Christ brings is freedom from sin! Simply put, if you think that Christian liberty is the freedom to sin, you don't understand that from which you were saved. Certainly our Christian liberty provides us with the comfort that Christ has saved us from our sin. It also frees us from the complex ceremonial system of the Old Covenant. By no means, however, does it free our conscience to sin unabated. Being freed from slavery to sin, would we willingly put those chains back on? Being cleansed from the filth of sin, would we wallow in it again, as pigs return to the mud? Would we be dogs who return to their vomit?
You see, the problem with sin is not just that it condemns us. The problem with sin is that it is opposed to God. It is an affront to Him. He hates it and it offends Him. Anyone who desires to continue in that type of activity should question whether or not his heart has been changed. If you can continually grieve the Holy Spirit without any conviction, you should seriously consider whether or not you have received the Holy Spirit. How can a child of God, redeemed by Christ and regenerated by the Holy Spirit, desire to live in a way that offends His Heavenly Father? Scripture calls us to live in a way that is consistent with our new identity (Colossians 3:1). The idea that forgiveness of sin would lead to freedom to sin is the farthest thing from the New Testament concept of Christian liberty (Romans 6:1-2). No, who who have been set free from sin are slaves of righteousness (Romans 6:18). If you use forgiveness to rationalize your sin, perhaps it is time for deep introspection and prayer.
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