As conscientious believers, our default position should always be closer to subjection to righteousness, not some personal autonomy that pushes the bounds of our liberty. I mean, it’s still very important to know that we aren’t slaves to legalism, but more importantly, we need to remember that we are still slaves in a godly, profitable way. We are now slaves to righteousness and namely, slaves to Christ Himself.

The following is a hypothetical discourse in which a die-hard “Christian libertarian” is challenged by the biblical standard…

My dear friend! It’s always good to see you, but as you can plainly see, you caught me in the middle of doing one of my favorite things in the world. Of course, I can tell by the troubled look on your face that you’re spiritually grieved by what I’m doing, but frankly it can’t be helped. As a Christian, my conscience is clear in this matter, so I’m completely free to do this. And I don’t have to stop doing it just because you are positioned from a vantage point that sees it as detrimental or sinful in some way.

You don’t believe I have this liberty? Doesn’t it say as much in the Bible? As a Christian, I’m a “free man” (I Corinthians 9:19; I Peter 2:16; Galatians 5:13), and “all things are lawful” for me (I Corinthians 6:12; 10:23). Nobody can put me under some “yoke of slavery” (Galatians 5:1). When I indulge in more worldly activities, I just make sure I do it “in the name of Jesus” or “for the honor and glory of God,” and then it’s completely blessed. (Colossians 3:17; I Corinthians 10:31). The only law I have to worry about is the Christian “law of liberty” (James 2:12), and not your personal rules and regulations.

See? There are numerous passages in the New Testament that prove that I have an exemption from your contrary preference concerning my behavior.

Funny thing, though. You still look… skeptical.

I sense some hesitancy on your part to fully embrace this practice of “Christian liberty” with a clear conscience. What’s the problem? Oh… I see. You think I might be taking those supporting Bible verses and yanking them out of their context? All right, all right, I hear you. I’m not afraid to back up a bit and take a closer look. It won’t change the basic point, though. If you’re free in Christ, you’re free indeed! (John 8:36). But go ahead and flesh out the broader context, if you want.

Act as free men, and do not use your freedom as a covering for evil, but use it as bond slaves of God. — 1 Peter 2:16

For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. — Galatians 5:13

Yeah, okay, I get it. In those verses, Peter and Paul are both explaining that our freedom in Christ doesn’t mean we’re COMPLETELY free to do whatever we want. But I never said “Christian liberty” meant freedom to sin. That’s ridiculous! Obviously we aren’t free to lie, cheat, steal, kill, fornicate, etcetera, etcetera…

I’m talking about being free to do certain secular, more “worldly” things like… well, ahem. I mean, I can’t really give specific examples, can I? As soon as I start rattling off a list of carnal activities that fall under “Christian liberty” then I’m sure to divide the sympathies of the Church. Some of us will say “Amen!” — but others will be quick to cite their objections based on personal experience or their favorite Bible proof-text. That’s the problem with these kinds of “Christian liberty” lists. They tend to create controversies within the Church that, like it or not, have brought negative connotations to the worldly activities in question. In the end, this negativity might make a Christian think he has to abandon any and all controversial liberties for the sake of peace and the common good!

That’s why we need to quit making lists and telling other Christians what they can or cannot do. We shouldn’t let those legalists and modern-day Pharisees ruin a brother or sister’s personal enjoyment, whatever that might be. There are far too many judgmental Christians with their minds in the gutter telling us we can’t do these things in good conscience, and trying to make us feel guilty about it. They don’t have that right. That’s legalism. It’s unbiblical, uncharitable and graceless.

What’s that? There are other Bible passages you want me to look at? Really? You’re like a biblical PEZ dispenser, my friend. Oh well, go ahead. What else you got?

But take care that this liberty of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak… If food causes my brother to stumble, I will never eat meat again, so that I will not cause my brother to stumble. — 1 Corinthians 8:9, 13

Thus, sinning against your brothers and wounding their conscience when it is weak, you sin against Christ. — 1 Corinthians 8:12

For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win more of them. — 1 Corinthians 9:19

Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather determine this—not to put an obstacle or a stumbling block in a brother’s way… For if because of food your brother is hurt, you are no longer walking according to love. — Romans 14:13, 15

Each of us is to please his neighbor for his good, to his edification. For even Christ did not please Himself; but as it is written, “The reproaches of those who reproached You fell on Me.” — Romans 15:2-3

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