I was listening recently to a radio program that is hosted by an antinomian who teaches that since all our sins were forgiven in Christ Jesus at the cross (John 19:30), then it logically follows that the only “sin” that God now sees is unbelief. All other sins are forgiven in Christ (John 3:18). He further teaches that this belief leads to true freedom (1 Corinthians 10:23; Galatians 5:13). He believes that if Christians can just see that we are forgiven already and that if we are in Christ, we are eternally secure, then this leads to absolute freedom and assurance even in the midst of sin. In other words, while a Christian shouldn’t practice immorality, it does not matter either way. We shouldn’t practice sin because of the natural consequences (sexually transmitted diseases, reckless behavior, etc.), but we will never face the judgment of God since He has already executed judgment in His Son (2 Corinthians 5:21).
With every false teaching there are some elements of truth sprinkled here and there. This makes the teaching appealing to the biblical ear. But false teachings usually focus on half truths and make that the core issue. For instance, within antinomianism there are the truths of Christ’s atonement for sin, that Jesus died for our sins and transgressions (Isaiah 53:4-6). However, they stop there. They fail to see two main issues within the framework of God’s redemption in Jesus Christ. First is the element of faith and faithfulness. The Bible no doubt calls us to faith in Jesus, and apart from faith in Him there is no salvation (John 1:12-13; Acts 4:12; Romans 10:9-17). But what they fail to teach is that the verbal form of faith is in the present tense when referring to salvation (Romans 3:22-26). We are to maintain faith in Jesus until the very end for eternal salvation. In the words of David Wilkerson, “We are eternally secure in an eternal Jesus.” As long as we abide in Jesus by faith (1 Corinthians 15:1-2; 2 Corinthians 1:24; Colossians 1:21-23; Hebrews 2:1-4; 3:6-19; 4:1-16; 5:8-9; 6:4-20; 10:19-39; 11:13-16; 12:1-39; 1 John 2:27-28), then we need to never fear.
Secondly, the antinomian fails to see the call of God to holiness as a serious commandment of God. The antinomian (as the name suggests) believes the believer is free from all laws. Even the moral laws of God. Yet the New Testament repeats nine of the ten commandments (Exodus 20:1-17). I don’t believe we need to obey the Ten Commandments for salvation, nor do I think that a disciple can keep them in their own power. But I do believe the Holy Spirit empowers us to walk in obedience to God and His laws. Jesus said that if we love Him we will obey His commandments (John 14:15). The greatest command that Jesus gave us was to love, and He said that to love is to fulfill the Law (John 13:34-35; Galatians 5:14; 1 John 4:19-21).
However, the Holy Spirit also enables the believer to walk in holiness before the Lord. Romans 6 deals with the issue of sinning under grace. Paul knew that people would question salvation by grace by saying that such a teaching leads to a life of sin. But Paul builds a strong case against the so called “sinning saints” in Romans 6. Paul points to our baptism into Christ, saying that this powerful experience points to the greater reality of us being crucified with Jesus Christ and raised to walk in the newness of life through Jesus’ resurrection and through His Spirit that now dwells in us (Romans 8:9-11). Since we are now in Christ Jesus, our duty is to be slaves of righteousness.
Paul ends Romans 6 with the powerful words, “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (v. 23). Notice that this has not changed. The wages of sin is still the same: death. We will reap what we sow (Galatians 6:7-9).
Frankly, the whole reason for the antinomian view and its appeal has little to do with a passion for the doctrine of justification or with liberation from bondage of the Law but with one key thought: “But I want to sin!” That is the bottom line for antinomians. They want to claim to be Christians but still hold to their vices and sins. They want to view pornography or covet or indulge in drunkenness all while claiming to be free in Jesus. The bottom line for the antinomian view and those who embrace it is simply that they want to sin and have no fear of impending judgment or guilt. Their consciences will not allow this, so they invent a teaching that seems to embrace Jesus and His cross but avoids the implications of what it truly means to be His disciple. They twist passages that speak of sin or about confession of sin to avoid the clear teaching that a true disciple of Jesus holds firmly to their faith in Jesus and pursues holiness (Hebrews 12:14-15; 1 Peter 1:15-16; 2:12).
May this not be so with us. May we be passionate in our faith in Jesus and in our pursuit of holiness. I do thank God that He has forgiven me of my sins in His Son (Ephesians 1:7), but I also praise God for His discipline (Hebrews 12:3-11). I rejoice when the Spirit confronts me about my sins (John 16:8) and I rejoice that I have an advocate with the Father that I can run to (1 John 2:1-2). This doesn’t lead me to abandon my passion for holiness but intensifies it! I want to be like Jesus because He alone is worthy of praise and adoration (Ephesians 5:1-2).
[Link to original post and comments on Roy Ingle’s website.]
