Antinomianism manifests itself in two main ways within the church. First, it manifests itself in theological antinomianism, which in many cases denies the use of God’s moral law in the life of the Christian. The second manifestation is practical antinomianism. This is when professing believers dangerously live a “loose” Christian life by either circumventing their need to keep God’s commandments or flat out ignoring the importance of keeping the commandments of God. 

In my previous post, I stated that there are two major heresies in the church: antinomianism and legalism. In this post, I will focus on how antinomianism affects various relationships within the church and why we must repent faithfully from all traces of antinomianism for the sake of Christ. Antinomianism is generally defined as being against God’s law, but this definition only describes the symptom of an even greater error. When believers set their hearts against keeping God’s law, they are failing to see the goodness of God in giving His commandments. Therefore, the heart of antinomianism is a failure to see that God is good and that everything He gives to His children is good.

Antinomianism manifests itself in two main ways within the church. First, it manifests itself in theological antinomianism, which in many cases denies the use of God’s moral law in the life of the Christian. The second manifestation is practical antinomianism. This is when professing believers dangerously live a “loose” Christian life by either circumventing their need to keep God’s commandments or flat out ignoring the importance of keeping the commandments of God. Antinomianism can be very difficult to see because much of it is a result of sins of omission, but we must seek to find all traces of antinomian tendencies within ourselves, as well as in those whom we consider near to our hearts.

1. Flee Antinomian Marriage. There is no closer bond on earth than that of a man and woman in marriage. A marriage that is lived for the glory of God is one of the best experiences a believer can enjoy. One of the most Christ-like things a spouse can do for the other is to love their soul by lovingly encouraging their obedience to Christ’s good commandments. This is because the end goal of a marriage is to reflect Christ and the Church (Eph 5:25-33). Therefore, our marriages are ultimately not about us. This, coupled with the goal of each individual Christian to be like Jesus (Rom 8:29), means that we must labor for the glory of God to faithfully give instruction to a spouse who fails to keep God’s commandments. This is never to be done in a “holier than thou” manner, for anything that we can point to as good in us comes from God. We must also remember that a spouse faithfully keeps God’s commandments when he or she understands the goodness of God. Therefore, husbands and wives should hold out God’s good character and grace before one another in love.

For instance, if a husband is not consistent in disciplining his children according to the Scriptures, he’s failing to see the goodness of God, that God disciplines those He loves, never harshly or out of anger, but always out of compassion for His children. His wife should encourage him and set Christ’s grace and love before him with a reminder that his Father in heaven disciplines him in love. Spouses must practice faithful obedience to God, under grace, and subsequently encourage it in one another. Sanctification is a result of God’s Spirit working with God’s law in the believer enabling faithful and true Christian obedience.

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