After five weeks of pounding the wrongs of legalism it is only fitting that we look at the other thief of the gospel of grace. Antinomianism stands in defiance to the laws of God and misuses grace as its rationalization.
Antinomianism - one of the greatest curses conceivable!' So says M Lloyd-Jones. But what is 'antinomianism'? The word itself was first coined by Martin Luther. It is derived from the Greek, 'against law' or 'anti law'. By 'law', the reference is to the moral law (the ten commandments, or decalogue).
Theologian R.C. Sproul says..
Every Christian wrestles with the question, how does the Old Testament law relate to my life? Is the Old Testament law irrelevant to Christians or is there some sense in which we are still bound by portions of it? As the heresy of antinomianism becomes ever more pervasive in our culture, the need to answer these questions grows increasingly urgent.
The Reformation was founded on grace and not upon law. Yet the law of God was not repudiated by the Reformers. John Calvin, for example, wrote what has become known as the “Threefold Use of the Law” in order to show the importance of the law for the Christian life.
The first purpose of the law is to be a mirror. On the one hand, the law of God reflects and mirrors the perfect righteousness of God. The law tells us much about who God is. Perhaps more important, the law illumines human sinfulness. Augustine wrote, “The law orders, that we, after attempting to do what is ordered, and so feeling our weakness under the law, may learn to implore the help of grace.” The law highlights our weakness so that we might seek the strength found in Christ. Here the law acts as a severe schoolmaster who drives us to Christ.
A second purpose for the law is the restraint of evil. The law, in and of itself, cannot change human hearts. It can, however, serve to protect the righteous from the unjust. Calvin says this purpose is “by means of its fearful denunciations and the consequent dread of punishment, to curb those who, unless forced, have no regard for rectitude and justice.” The law allows for a limited measure of justice on this earth, until the last judgment is realized.
The third purpose of the law is to reveal what is pleasing to God. As born-again children of God, the law enlightens us as to what is pleasing to our Father, whom we seek to serve. The Christian delights in the law as God Himself delights in it. Jesus said, “If you love Me, keep My commandments” (John 14:15). This is the highest function of the law, to serve as an instrument for the people of God to give Him honor and glory.
Now here is the question.
Is the moral law the rule of life for the believer?
An Antinomian answers no. Antinomianism holds that since salvation is entirely of grace and cannot be lost once it has been received, then why bother about keeping the commandments? This is the heresy Paul was dealing with in Romans 6, from those who urged continuance in sin so that grace may abound. In our own day, this is not unrelated to the false teaching that it is possible to separate the acceptance of Jesus as Savior from the acceptance of Him as Lord.
In his book, Concise Theology, J. I. Packer distinguishes between various types of antinomianism.
First, he says, there is dualistic antinomianism. It is based on the Greek idea that man is body and man is spirit, but man's body, being matter, is evil. Salvation is salvation of the soul. There is not going to be any resurrection of the body, because the body is evil. Therefore it doesn't matter what you do with your body and you may sin to your heart's content.
Secondly, Dr. Packer speaks about Spirit-centered antinomianism. It says, "What matters is not what the Scripture tells me. I am a spiritual person, filled with the Holy Spirit. I am above the law of the Scripture. I am led by the Spirit, and the Spirit overrules the Scripture. The Spirit can even contradict the Scripture. This idea is what Paul addresses in the Corinthian church. They took pride in being charismatic, and charismatic Christians of today go astray in this fashion. The Holy Spirit enables us to understand and obey the Scripture. So true spirituality leads us to obey the law of God, not defy it.
Thirdly, there is liberal antinomianism. Liberals are people who reject the Scriptures as God's word. They have subscribed to the relativism of the secular world, saying that there are no absolutes and that there is no God. Thus, they say, there is no absolute law of God. So they deny the Scripture and live as they please.
Fourthly, there is situational antinomianism. Situational antinomianism says that what you need is the inner motive and intention of love. This idea lifts up love as if it is higher then holiness. In other words, if your intent is to love others, then do whatever you wish for the Law does not apply.
Fifthly, there is the so-called Christ-centered antinomianism. This idea is that a believer is united with Christ, he is in Christ, and his life is hid with Christ in God. God sees Christ, who kept the law perfectly, and God sees no sin in the believer because God sees him through Jesus Christ. So the believer is therefore able to violate God's law. It makes no difference to God.
Sixthly, there is a modern type of antinomianism that is "Jesus is Savior" antinomianism. People say that in order to be saved, you must receive Jesus as your Savior, but you do not have to receive him as Lord. So, as a "saved" Christian, you need not obey the Lord Jesus Christ. Your salvation is secure as long as you once upon a time received Jesus Christ as Savior by faith. The moral law is not necessary for a Christian.
How many are there today who have been fooled by their own lust in wanting their way believe that Christ need not be Lord of their lives? How many more want to place themselves above the Law of God as if they know more them Him? Satan has deceived and is now deceiving multitudes of souls on this subject alone. The faith of God’s elect is unto “the acknowledging of the truth which is after godliness” (Titus 1:1) It is a faith which purifieth the heart (Acts 15:9), and it grieves over all impurity. It is a faith which produces an unquestioning obedience (Hebrews 11:8). Genuiness of new life is shown in the expression of a new life.
In Christ, God has set before His people that standard of moral excellence which He charges them to aim for and strive after. The aim is to be like Christ and to focus on Him and not what others do or not do. In Christ’s life we see a representation of obedience of which we should follow in our own obedience. Christ conformed Himself to us in His incarnation, how reasonable then it is that we should conform ourselves to Him in the way of obedience and sanctification.
Philippians 2:5
“Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus”
If we are to be conformed to Christ in glory, how necessary is it, that we first be conformed to Him in holy living?
1 John 2:6
“He that saith he abideth in Him ought himself so to walk even as He walked”
2 Timothy 2:19 says..
“Let everyone that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity”
The message of the verse in 2 Timothy is clear. Don’t claim to love someone you refuse to follow. Either put on the life of Christ or drop the name of Christian.