Christ is still in the business of changing lives and sets the sinner free, not having anything to say to the so-called righteous who see no need for him, but only for the so-called losers of society, even the outcasts, the untouchables, and the riffraff! Remember, we are slaves to whom we choose to obey! (cf. Romans 6:16; cf. 2 Pet. 2:19). But, the more enslaved to Christ, the freer we are in spirit.
Acts 13:39 says that he who believes is freed from all things! He is no longer the slave or servant of sin, but of righteousness. That doesn't mean he's lawless (as the antinomian would suggest), but that he has the power to live in the Spirit, being freed from the power of sin and the flesh. In salvation, we are not only forgiven for what we've done, but delivered from what we are (this is our justification and sanctification).
Acts 13:39 says that he who believes is freed from all things! He is no longer the slave or servant of sin, but of righteousness. That doesn't mean he's lawless (as the antinomian would suggest), but that he has the power to live in the Spirit, being freed from the power of sin and the flesh. In salvation, we are not only forgiven for what we've done, but delivered from what we are (this is our justification and sanctification).
When someone sins, he's not demonstrating his freedom but proving his slavery! Romans 6:16 says that we are slaves to the power we choose to obey. Christ will not save those He cannot command and obedience is the measure of our faith and its manifestation. As Bonhoeffer said, "Only he who believes is obedient; only he who is obedient believes." We are never free to do what is wrong or to do our own thing or what is wrong in our brother's eyes. Our liberty is curtailed by our brother's conscience.
The antinomian (one who is a law unto himself) sings the song: "Freed from the law, O blessed condition; now I can sin all I want and still have remission." We must never be presumptuous and take advantage of God's patience and grace. There is sin unto death too (cf. Psalm 118:18; 1 John 5:16) and God disciplines His own and brings them back to the fellowship (cf Heb 12:5-6). We know that the whole world lies in the power of the evil one but he cannot touch us (cf. 1 John 5:18-19).
The antinomian (one who is a law unto himself) sings the song: "Freed from the law, O blessed condition; now I can sin all I want and still have remission." We must never be presumptuous and take advantage of God's patience and grace. There is sin unto death too (cf. Psalm 118:18; 1 John 5:16) and God disciplines His own and brings them back to the fellowship (cf Heb 12:5-6). We know that the whole world lies in the power of the evil one but he cannot touch us (cf. 1 John 5:18-19).
Antinomianism is the license to sin and leads to moral laxity and becoming slack in the faith (namely, backsliding). It's also known as libertinism and is really the quest for moral liberty gone amuck. We never have the freedom to do as we want, but as we ought! Israel tended towards libertinism in Judges when it's described as each man doing that which is right in his own eyes (cf. Judges 17:6, 21:25).
On the contrary, true freedom is the power to live in Spirit because of walking with Christ in fellowship with Him or filled with the Spirit. The new nature needs no law; the old nature knows no law. Being free doesn't imply that there are no laws; for example, a free park has rules or it would be chaos. We should never go beyond that which is written though (cf. 1 Cor. 4:6). Legalists tend to make people feel bound where they should be free.
We remain free by not becoming legalists and learning of the power of the Spirit to lead us and guide us--for we are never free from the will of God! We do this by not majoring on the minors or emphasizing minor sin and ignoring a more serious one, like the Pharisees who tithed their spices like "... mint, dill, and cumin. But [they] have neglected the more heavy matters of the law--justice, mercy, and faithfulness. [They] should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former. [They are] blind guides! [They] strain out the gnat but swallow a camel" (Matt. 23:23-24, NIV). It is too easy to pay attention to the letter of the law like the Pharisees did, and ignore the Spirit of the law, "... for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life" (2 Cor. 3:6, NIV).
"[B]ecause through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death" (Rom. 8:2, NIV). Legalism is spiritual tyranny and antinomianism tends to think the Bible sanctions the right to do one's thing. Legalism is the antithesis of antinomianism but just as fatal to our faith and the only way to steer clear of their paralysis is to have a knowledge of the Word.
On the contrary, true freedom is the power to live in Spirit because of walking with Christ in fellowship with Him or filled with the Spirit. The new nature needs no law; the old nature knows no law. Being free doesn't imply that there are no laws; for example, a free park has rules or it would be chaos. We should never go beyond that which is written though (cf. 1 Cor. 4:6). Legalists tend to make people feel bound where they should be free.
We remain free by not becoming legalists and learning of the power of the Spirit to lead us and guide us--for we are never free from the will of God! We do this by not majoring on the minors or emphasizing minor sin and ignoring a more serious one, like the Pharisees who tithed their spices like "... mint, dill, and cumin. But [they] have neglected the more heavy matters of the law--justice, mercy, and faithfulness. [They] should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former. [They are] blind guides! [They] strain out the gnat but swallow a camel" (Matt. 23:23-24, NIV). It is too easy to pay attention to the letter of the law like the Pharisees did, and ignore the Spirit of the law, "... for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life" (2 Cor. 3:6, NIV).
"[B]ecause through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death" (Rom. 8:2, NIV). Legalism is spiritual tyranny and antinomianism tends to think the Bible sanctions the right to do one's thing. Legalism is the antithesis of antinomianism but just as fatal to our faith and the only way to steer clear of their paralysis is to have a knowledge of the Word.
In sum, the more enslaved to Christ we are and the more we allow Him to inhabit us and we're surrendered to His will, the freer we are--in slavery to Christ we are free! We are both the bondslaves of Christ and Christ's free man! WE ARE SLAVES THAT WE MAY BE FREE! Soli Deo Gloria!
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