Christian Liberty: Conferred by God
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Christian liberty, as conferred by God, is a profound and multifaceted concept rooted in the New Testament teachings. It encompasses the freedom granted to believers through the redemptive work of Jesus Christ, liberating them from the bondage of sin, the constraints of the Mosaic Law, and the spiritual oppression of the world. This liberty is not a license for moral laxity but a call to live in the fullness of the Spirit, guided by love and truth.

Freedom from Sin and Death

The foundation of Christian liberty is the believer's emancipation from the power of sin and death. Through Christ's sacrificial death and resurrection, believers are set free from the dominion of sin. Romans 6:22 states, "But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves to God, the fruit you reap leads to holiness, and the outcome is eternal life." This freedom is not merely a release from sin's penalty but also an empowerment to live a life of righteousness.

Liberation from the Law

Christian liberty also signifies freedom from the ceremonial and judicial aspects of the Mosaic Law. The Apostle Paul emphasizes this in Galatians 5:1 : "It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not be encumbered once more by a yoke of slavery." The believer is no longer bound by the law as a means of justification but is justified by faith in Christ. This liberation allows Christians to serve God in the new way of the Spirit, as opposed to the old way of the written code (Romans 7:6).

Freedom to Serve in Love

Christian liberty is intrinsically linked to the call to serve one another in love. Galatians 5:13 exhorts, "For you, brothers, were called to freedom; but do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh. Rather, serve one another in love." This freedom is not self-serving but is directed towards the edification of others and the glorification of God. It is a liberty that finds its highest expression in selfless love and service.

Conscience and Personal Convictions

The concept of Christian liberty extends to matters of conscience and personal convictions. Romans 14:5 advises, "One person regards a certain day above the others, while someone else considers every day alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind." Believers are encouraged to exercise their freedom responsibly, respecting the diverse convictions within the body of Christ. This liberty requires discernment and sensitivity to the conscience of others, avoiding actions that may cause a fellow believer to stumble (1 Corinthians 8:9).

Freedom from Worldly Powers

Christian liberty also encompasses freedom from the spiritual and worldly powers that seek to enslave humanity. Colossians 1:13 declares, "He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of His beloved Son." This transfer from darkness to light signifies a liberation from the oppressive forces of the world, enabling believers to live as citizens of God's kingdom.

Empowerment by the Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit plays a crucial role in the believer's experience of Christian liberty. 2 Corinthians 3:17 affirms, "Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom." The indwelling Spirit empowers believers to live in the freedom Christ has secured, guiding them into all truth and enabling them to bear the fruit of the Spirit.

Christian liberty, as conferred by God, is a transformative gift that calls believers to live in the freedom of the Spirit, characterized by love, service, and holiness. It is a liberty that transcends legalistic constraints and empowers believers to fulfill God's purposes in their lives.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
Colossians 1:13
Who has delivered us from the power of darkness, and has translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Institutes of the Christian Religion
... OF CHRISTIAN LIBERTY. ... RISE OF THE ROMISH PAPACY, TILL IT ATTAINED A HEIGHT BY WHICH
THE LIBERTY OF THE ... OF THE LORD'S SUPPER, AND THE BENEFITS CONFERRED BY IT. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/

General Index of Chapters.
... Of Christian Liberty. ... Rise of the Romish Papacy, till it attained a height by which
the Liberty of the ... Of the Lord's Supper, and the benefits conferred by it. ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/general index of chapters.htm

Concerning Christian Liberty
... in whom such blessings have been conferred on it, and ... nothing contrary to the will
of God"is no ... is attained, and thus utterly do away with Christian liberty. ...
/.../luther/concerning christian liberty/concerning christian liberty.htm

This Liberty vindicated in Respect of Its Original Creation ...
... Entire freedom of will, therefore, was conferred upon him in ... his bounden duty, in
the judgment of God, to do ... not exclude, but rather prove, human liberty by a ...
/.../the five books against marcion/chapter vi this liberty vindicated in.htm

Concerning Christian Liberty
... in whom such blessings have been conferred on it; and ... nothing contrary to the will
of God"is no ... is attained, and thus utterly do away with Christian liberty. ...
/.../luther/first principles of the reformation/concerning christian liberty.htm

Perfect Righteousness was Conferred Neither by Circumcision nor by ...
... IV Chapter XVI."Perfect righteousness was conferred neither by ... Peter says "that we
have not liberty as a ... later Jews, followed by the Christian fathers, that ...
/.../irenaeus/against heresies/chapter xvi perfect righteousness was conferred.htm

The Works of James Arminius, Vol. 1
... XXVIII (VIII.) The grace sufficient for salvation is conferred on the ... DISPUTATION
19 ON THE JUSTIFICATION OF MAN BEFORE GOD. DISPUTATION 20 ON CHRISTIAN LIBERTY. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/arminius/the works of james arminius vol 1/

List of the Benefits which Constantine Conferred in the Freedom of ...
... of the Benefits which Constantine conferred in the ... provinces in order that the Christian
religion might ... as public functionaries, should be restored to liberty. ...
/.../the ecclesiastical history of sozomenus/chapter viii list of the benefits.htm

Easter Sunday
... of the Gospel, under cover of Christian liberty; for that ... a discipline wherein a
new, Christian life is ... Christ and his purity perfectly conferred upon ourselves ...
//christianbookshelf.org/luther/epistle sermons vol ii/easter sunday.htm

The Scotch Covenants and the Scotch Kirk.
... and the peace and tranquillity of Christian kingdoms and ... of past history.' [1341]
In securing liberty for itself, the Free Church conferred a blessing ...
/.../ 90 the scotch covenants.htm

Resources
How should Christians view religious liberty? | GotQuestions.org

Christian liberty what does the Bible say? | GotQuestions.org

What is the law of liberty? | GotQuestions.org

Liberty: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Subtopics

Christian Liberty is Freedom From: Bondage of Man

Christian Liberty is Freedom From: Corruption

Christian Liberty is Freedom From: Jewish Ordinances

Christian Liberty is Freedom From: Sin

Christian Liberty is Freedom From: The Curse of the Law

Christian Liberty is Freedom From: The Fear of Death

Christian Liberty is Freedom From: The Law

Christian Liberty: Called the Glorious Liberty of the Children of God

Christian Liberty: Conferred by Christ

Christian Liberty: Conferred by God

Christian Liberty: Conferred by the Holy Spirit

Christian Liberty: Conferred: Through the Gospel

Christian Liberty: Confirmed by Christ

Christian Liberty: False Teachers: Abuse

Christian Liberty: False Teachers: Promise, to Others

Christian Liberty: False Teachers: Try to Destroy

Christian Liberty: Foretold

Christian Liberty: Proclaimed by Christ

Christian Liberty: Saints are Called To

Christian Liberty: Saints should Assert

Christian Liberty: Saints should not Abuse

Christian Liberty: Saints should not offend Others By

Christian Liberty: Saints should Praise God For

Christian Liberty: Saints should Stand Fast In

Christian Liberty: Saints should Walk In

Christian Liberty: The Gospel is the Law of

Christian Liberty: The Service of Christ Is

Christian Liberty: The Wicked, Devoid of

Christian Liberty: Typified

Liberty

Liberty: Figurative

Liberty: Political

Liberty: Proclaimed in the Year of Jubilee

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Christian Liberty: Conferred by Christ
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