Christian Liberty According to the ScripturesDeviations from the faith once delivered to the saints-Bible study #46

by Nolan McFadden

When considering the word liberty, many issues of liberty come to mind. We are reminded that God created man as a free moral agent with the ability to choose good or evil (Genesis 2:15-17). We should thank the Lord for the blessing of religious liberty and political liberty. Why? To be without liberty is to be a slave. In fact, slavery to the pagan enemies of God’s people was considered a curse from God in the Hebrew Scriptures (Deuteronomy 28:48,68). Whereas, freedom is regarded as a

valuable blessing (Acts 22:28). However, many have religious and political freedoms but are slaves to sin, guilt and false beliefs (John 8:33-34).

Thankfully, biblical salvation provides a spiritual freedom which is the most glorious of all liberties (Romans 8:21). The Holy Bible presents a more clear understanding of liberty. However, the biblical term liberty is often twisted and used in error. A false understanding of liberty has resulted in false beliefs and false applications propagated under the guise of “Christian liberty.” Likewise, the apostle Peter warned about false teachers who will promise “liberty” but are “the servants of corruption (II Peter 2:19).” Therefore, it is essential that Christians have an accurate understanding of biblical liberty. Using the Holy Bible as the basis of our study, let’s consider what the Scriptures really teach about Christian liberty.

I. What are the meanings and usages of the word liberty in the Scriptures?A. The term liberty is found twenty-seven times in the Bible. In Jeremiah 34:8-16 the word means freedom from slavery. Eleven times liberty is translated from the Greek word in the New Testament. The word liberty is used in five primary ways in the New Testament:

1. It refers to spiritual freedom from sin’s guilt and enslavement (Luke 4:18 from Isaiah 61:1).2. Liberty sometimes means liberty of conscience as in I Corinthians 8:9; 10:29. 3. Liberty refers to a Christian’s freedom from Hebrew regulations (specifically circumcision) under the Old Testament law of Moses (Galatians 2:4; 5:1-13). In these verses liberty is translated from . 4. It is used in reference to release from a prior marriage commitment in I Corinthians 7:39. It should be understood that two conditions for remarriage are clearly set forth in this verse. The prior spouse must “be dead” and the remarriage must be with a genuine Christian “in the Lord.” Also, note that the words “by the law” are not found in the Greek New Testament . The three words “by the law” were added by Bible translators. Thus, under New Testament teaching, the wife is “bound” (not at liberty to remarry) as long as her husband lives. This is consistent with Mark 10:10-12, Matthew 19:9 and I Timothy 5:9.5. It refers to liberty from physical imprisonment in Acts 26:32 and Hebrews 13:23. In both these verses liberty is translated from which means to release or loose.

B. “Stand fast therefore in the l____________________ wherewith Christ hath made us f___________, and be not e______________________ again with the yoke of b________________.” Galatians 5:1 In Galatians 5:1 liberty refers to a Christian’s

freedom from Hebrew regulations (specifically circumcision) under the Old Testament law of Moses.C. The apostle Paul wrote his epistle to the Galatians to refute false teachings which were being propagated among the churches of Galatia. Some were proclaiming a false gospel which included the teaching that circumcision was necessary for justification (Galatians 1:6-10; 5:2-4). The false teachers were seeking to bring Christians under Hebrew regulations of the Old Testament law

for both justification and sanctification (Galatians 2:16-3:3). Regarding justification, Paul taught, “..for by the works of the l___________ shall no f________________ be j__________________. ” -Galatians 2:16 Regarding sanctification, Paul warns, “Are ye so f___________________? having begun in the S_______________, are ye now made p__________________ by the f________________? - Galatians 3:3

II. Christian liberty is not a license to sin (Jude 4).A. Let’s consider some common false interpretations and false applications of the biblical term liberty. Christian liberty is not the right, under God’s grace, to do whatever you want. This view is known as antinomianism. It is a false doctrine that has existed throughout church history. In II Peter 2:19 the apostle Peter warns about false teachers who promise “liberty” but are “the servants of corruption.” Likewise, the Anabaptist leader Michael Sattler was careful to refute this false view of Christian liberty. In the Schleitheim Confession of 1527 A.D. Brother Sattler wrote, “A very great offense has been introduced by certain false brethren among us, so that some have turned aside from the faith, in the way they intend to practice and observe the freedom of the Spirit and of Christ. But such have missed the truth and to their condemnation are given over to the lasciviousness and self-indulgance of the flesh. They think faith and love may do and permit everything, and nothing will harm them nor condemn them since they are believers.”1

B. Christian liberty is not the right, under God’sgrace, to practice worldliness. This view is modified antinomianism. It affirms a Christian theology while rationalizing worldly, ungodly living. It is called semi-antinomianism. By far one of the most popular false doctrines of new evangelicalism, this belief has deceived many. Advocates present a list of “gray areas” which they allege are spiritually and morally neutral. Usually, proponents of semi-antinomianism rationalize worldly entertainment, immodest clothing for women, social drinking of alcoholic beverages, pagan philosophies and worldly music. However, nowhere in the New Testament Scriptures do we find the word liberty applied to music, social

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A few dwings never hurd anyone…

drinking, clothing, pagan philosophy or entertainment. On the contrary, we find the exhortation in Galatians 5:13, “For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty (See liberty definition #3 on page one); only use n___________ l___________________ for an occasion to the f________________, but by l______________ serve one another. ”Likewise, in I Peter 2:16 Peter warns, “As free, and n___________ using your l__________________ for a cloak of m_________________________, but as the s___________________ of God.”C. What are believers warned about as revealed in Colossians 2:8? ________________________________________________________________________________________D. Which two things are Christians commanded not to love in I John 2:15? _______________________________________________________________________E. List three things that are “not of the Father” in I John 2:16? ____________________________________________________________________________________________F. According to II Timothy 4:3, it is said of those not enduring sound doctrine, “..but after their own l________________ shall they h________________ to themselves teachers, having i____________________ ears;” Note that those rejecting sound doctrine will heap to themselves teachers who will help them to rationalize their own sinful desires. Thus, they will seek teachers who will give them a “license to sin.”G. The apostle Peter warns of false teachers who will promise “liberty” but “they themselves are the s____________________ of c_____________________:” in II Peter 2:19. Notice in this text that these “liberty to sin” teachers/preachers will especially target godly believers who have already “escaped the pollutions of the world.” Our Savior instructed, “..Take heed that no man deceive you…And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many (Matthew 24:4).”

III. Christian liberty is never divorced from Christian responsibility in the New Testament Scriptures (Romans 14:13-21, I Corinthians 8:1-13).

A. Liberty is a privilege that brings with it responsibility. In Romans 14:21 the apostle

Paul taught that it is not good to do things, “whereby thy brother s_____________________, or is o_____________________, or is made w___________.”

B. In I Corinthians chapter eight Paul addressed the issue regarding meat that was sold after it had been offered in sacrifice to idols. Some Christians were eating the meat which had been offered in sacrifice to idols, but others would not. Those who were eating the meat felt that they had liberty to use it. However, what warning did Paul give in Romans 8:9? Explain. __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________C. How are things not to be done according to Philippians 2:3? ___________________________________________________________________________________________

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D. What is to be in the Christian as set forth in Philippians 2:5? ___________________________________________________________________________________________

IV. Biblical separation from worldliness, ungodliness and false teachers is not legalism or a denial of Christian liberty (II Corinthians 6:14-18, Ephesians 5:11, I Timothy 6:3-5, I John 2:15-17, II John 9-11).

A. Rejecting a false view of Christian liberty does not make you a legalist. In many churches today, the mere mention of modest clothing for women (I Timothy 2:9), short hair for men (I Corinthians 11:14), abstaining from alcohol (Ephesians 5:18), rejection of worldly music (Romans 12:2), ecumenicism (II Corinthians 6:14-18) and pagan philosophies (Colossians 2:8) causes an obedient Christian to be labeled a “legalist.” However, nowhere are the words legalist and legalism found in the Scriptures. In reality, the term legalist is a label often misused by those rejecting biblical separation to malign godly Christians who separate from worldliness, ungodliness and false teachings. This practice is especially common among those embracing the teachings of new evangelicalism. New evangelicalism is a religious movement which began in the 1940’s as a rebellion against biblical separation from false teachers and false churches. Rejecting both personal separation and ecclesiastical separation, new evangelicals often propagate a false view of Christian liberty. For further study regarding new evangelicalism, see I.B.D. study #45-“A Biblical Evaluation of the New Ecumenicism.”B. The last days new evangelical spirituality is accurately described in II Timothy 3:1-5:“This know also, that in the l________________ days p______________________ times shall come. For men shall be __________________ of their own selves, c___________________, boasters, p____________________, blasphemers, d___________________ to parents, unthankful, u__________________, without natural affection, trucebreakers, f______________ a___________________, incontinent, fierce, d__________________ of those that are g_________________, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of p_____________________ more than lovers of G____________; Having a form of g______________________, but denying the p__________________ thereof: from such turn a__________________.”

C. According to II Timothy 4:3, what will those who turn from the truth “not endure?” ___________________________________________________________________________D. Our Lord Jesus warned us against the doctrine of the Pharisees which is, “teachingfor d_________________ the commandments of m___________.” Mark 7:7

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Obedience to New Testament teachings regarding separation is not the doctrine of the Pharisees. However, a false tradition of men found in new evangelical churches is disobeying and reviling biblical separation from worldliness, ungodliness and false teachers. Tragically, these churches make “the word of God of none effect” (Mark 7:13) through their tradition of compromise with sin.

In these last days of apostasy, let us ask God for the biblical discernment and wisdom to identify and reject counterfeit Christian liberty (Ephesians 4:14, Colossians 1:9-10). In John 14:15 Jesus declared, “If ye love me, keep my commandments.” According to our Savior, obedience is the the very best way to show that you love God. May God grant you the grace, strength and courage to stay true to His Word.

After completing this study, check one of the following choices.

O I choose to reject unbiblical, counterfeit views of Christian liberty. I recognize that Christian liberty is not the freedom to practice worldliness, ungodliness and disobedience of New Testament teachings. By God’s grace, I will practice my Christian liberty only within biblical boundaries.Name ____________________________________________ Date ____________________

O I choose to keep self on the altar and use my profession of faith as a license to sin.

2001 Nolan McFadden copies permitted

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