False Liberty

False Liberty

“For when they speak great swelling words of emptiness, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through licentiousness, the ones who have actually escaped from those who live in error. While they promise them liberty, they themselves are slaves of corruption . . . .” 2 Pet. 2:18-19.

Here is a good example of false liberty. “Whoever commits sin is a slave of sin.” John 8:34. When a person seeks to excuse himself for his sin and seeks to be comforted in his sin, he seeks false liberty. False liberty hates truth and judgment. There is a spirit of revelation in false liberty, which interprets God’s Word so that God’s judgment over sin is taken away. This kind of interpretation leads into darkness, for “this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world.” John 3:19. If you want to walk in the light, you will also have to accept the judgment.

You enter into true liberty by acknowledging the judgment so that it returns with righteousness. Then you can rejoice in the light, for then you are free indeed. “Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you.” 1 Tim. 4:16. This is an example of true liberty. It leads to a sound mind. False liberty leads to a mind that is corrupt. Such people are disapproved concerning the faith. 2 Tim. 3:8.

When a preacher says, “Do not look at me, look at Jesus,” he absolves himself of all responsibility. He is supposed to stand in Christ’s stead and exhort. He deceives the listeners by false humility and withdraws from salvation and responsibility. That is false liberty. What is a preacher supposed to be? He is supposed to be an example of what Jesus can do with a sinner. 1 Tim. 1:16. He is an example and should be able to say, “Take heed to me and follow me.” Phil. 3:17; 4:9.

Everyone praises God for His covering grace (Ps. 5:12), but there is judgment in the teaching grace, and all those who love false liberty hate it. Tit. 2:11-12. He who has an ear, let him hear. Listen carefully, you who are upright, and you will learn to discern between true and false liberty and between true and false humility.