Three Lanes of Liberty

There are basically 3 camps when it comes to the issue of Christian liberty. Two of these are commonly held misunderstandings about the freedoms we enjoy in Christ. As we sort through them I hope this will clear up some of the waters that seem muddied by debate.

The first camp is...

LICENSE
License is an attitude of the heart that encourages an individual to obey the appetites of the flesh above what his "A) conscience" and the "B) context" of his community require. It says, "I am free to enjoy this '_______' at whatever cost. Even though I feel conviction in my conscience and I know it hurts others I will still do it because the bible gives me that freedom."

A) CONSCIENCE
This way of thinking stands in direct contradiction to the clear teaching of scripture. God leads us by the conviction of the Holy Spirit and love for others. Even when the bible may give a freedom to some, others, because of their own conviction may not have the same freedom. This is clearly seen in that Paul says that there is nothing inherently sinful about eating meat that has been sacrificed to an idol because we know that the idol is nothing. Just because you eat the meat doesn't make you a worshiper of the idol. There were those in that culture though, that were absolutely persuaded that eating meat sacrificed to an idol was the same as worshiping that idol. Paul says to that group, "Don't eat the meat. Because in your heart you are sinning by eating this and believing that you are worshiping that idol." Though some had that freedom to eat (Paul apparently did) others did not. Exercising this freedom would cause their conscience to be defiled.

B) CONTEXT
The philosophy of license (where the word 'licentiousness' comes from) also doesn't take into account clear teaching from scripture about loving those around you. If the meat eating group A decides to eat meat with and encourage the non-meat eating group B to eat this meat that has been sacrificed to an idol, they will in effect, tempt group B to do something that is for them sinful. Group A is not being loving and considering more highly than themselves the CONTEXT of the community that they are a part of. Even though they have freedom it is not a license to run over the top of another brother or sister in Christ.

License- License fails to keep the biblical mandates of love and obedience in the following ways:

1- Doesn’t take into account that we have been freed to live *** in*** the Gospel as free from sin. Romans 6
2- Tramples the gospel and doesn’t consider the value of Christ’s sacrifice.
3- It is an abuse of liberty.
4- Boasts in freedom righteousness (Living in the world and not under the control of the Spirit Gal 5)
5- You end up ruled by the appetites of the flesh and your God is your belly
6- Leads to syncretism and the church has no distinction

Legalism

Legalism is an attitude of the heart that seeks approval from God by any other means than the cross. It says that, "God approves of me, loves me, or blesses me because I do x+y+z (read my bible, go to church, use the KJV, etc...) and don't do a+b+c (drink alcohol, smoke cigarettes, watch R rated movies, listen to secular music, etc...). Legalists cling to something other than Jesus as a source of righteousness and thereby establish an idol as a means of what God calls "GRACE". The idol could be their works, or biblical theology, or even the established biblical community that they are a part of. The end result though is that rather than clinging to Jesus as the sole means of salvation, righteousness, and blessing, they abandon the only one who can provide them a basis for these things.

Legalism fails in the following ways...

1- Hedges the gospel- out of love for the gospel because issues are too complex and we want to protect others from sin

2- Legalism boasts itself in self-righteousness

3- Our relationship is based upon rules, laws, and the expectations of others

4- The danger is that we cling to our works rather than the cross

5- It ultimately leads to sectarianism

Liberty- "All things are lawful but all things are not profitable"

Liberty understands that Christ is the sole source of salvation, righteousness, and blessing. It humbles us to a place of moment by moment dependance on the Holy Spirit and careful understanding of God's word. Liberty recognizes the freedom of others yet does not enjoy every personal freedom. Liberty sees the falleness of mankind and guards against using freedom as an excuse to sin. It keeps us close to Jesus and less critical of the actions of others. It enables us to see every man as a new creation in Christ while at the same time keeps us aware of the weaknesses of others and not encouraging them to sin.

The success of Christian liberty

1- Makes full use of what Jesus purchased on the cross for us

2- Recognizes the freedom from being ruled by the appetites of the flesh

3- Is ruled by obedience to Christ, a gospel formed conscience, and the context of the community we live in

4- Leads to celebration of the full work of the cross

Christian Liberty

Fear of Freedom (proposal for a prison courtyard or a town square), 2009.
Taken from
http://ricwarren.blogspot.com/



The Doctrine of Christian Liberty

This may seem like a small topic to begin with but I hope to prove over the next few posts that this is a really important issue. I believe issues in dealing with Christian Liberty are directly linked to a straying from the gospel. One of the reasons that churches stray from the gospel and begin to become isolated communities that grow sick and weak is that they have yet to understand this very foundational issue. We need a proper understanding of the gospel and how it affects everyday life, the community of believers that we fellowship with, and the unbelievers that come into our context.

Issues of Christian Liberty are all around our church communities. We all want to know what a Christian is free to do and what a Christian is not free to do. We like lines and boundaries that are clear and defined because they provide us with some tangible security. To be sure, there are defined lines of sin and not sin in the bible. Those things named as sin in the bible are to be obeyed if we desire to be submitted to the lordship of Jesus in our lives. Often though, there is a list of unspoken extra commands that get placed on people if they want to be considered a good Christian. It may be something as simple and small as what bible translation you use and something as big as whether or not you home school your kids or send them to public school. Some standards seem really wise and spiritual like dating verses courtship or what kind of dress code should be enforced, but in the end they lead to a pseudo righteousness that is derived from something other than Jesus. These issues are usually presented in this way. "Oh sure you are free to do these things, but.... If you are really committed to the Lord.... If you really want to be holy...." These standards are placed on the people of God like so many rules from the traditions of Judaism. In an up and coming post I will talk about how to use our liberty wisely and we will deal with "causing others to stumble". We will also deal with what issues of liberty cover and what they don't cover and what to do when an abuse of liberty occurs. But first, I need to prove why it is important.....

Why is the doctrine of Christian Liberty important?

1- Protection from Paganism-
"You shall have no other gods before Me." Ex 20:3

A clear understanding of the gospel and the standard that is required to be made just with God causes us to cling to Christ in faith and not in external standards for righteousness. When cling to external standards for righteousness we establish another savior other than Christ. This standard then becomes the object of our worship and focus of our lives.

2-Protection from Pride-
"What becomes of our boasting then?...It is excluded...by faith" Romans 3:27

A clear understanding of the gospel keeps us in a place of humility. When we cling to external standards for righteousness we begin to feel good because we do good. These feelings lead us into a false security in our own strength and keep us dependent on self will rather than Holy Spirit power.

3- Protection from Pedestals-
"...we regard no one according to the flesh...." 2 Cor 5:16

A clear understanding of the gospel keeps us from exalting one person over another. It puts everyone where they need to be.... Sinners at the foot of the cross. When we cling to external standards for righteousness we begin to see some people as good Christians because they do the things on the good list and don't do the things on the bad list. We begin to classify people in a sort of Christian caste system. Those who don't do the right things, and do do the wrong things are seen as a sort of sub-Christian and while they may be saved ultimately, they are not really good Christians.

In Paul's epistle to the Galatians, and before he talks about what the fruits of the flesh and of the Spirit are, he makes a statement to the Christians wrestling this issue out. He basically says to them that clinging to something other than Jesus for a sense of righteousness is like slavery. He concludes this thought by saying.....

Galatians 5:1 " For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery"

Solid words from a wise man.