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.
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
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