Christian Liberty

The Liberty Christ Purchased

Christ frees his people from the guilt and dominion of sin. His liberty also guards their consciences from human commands imposed as divine law.

Westminster Confession 20.1 (opens in a new tab) describes the liberty of believers as freedom from guilt, condemning wrath, and the curse of the moral law. In Christ we're delivered from the present evil world and the bondage of Satan. We have access to God and obey him willingly through grace (Romans 8:1-4 (opens in a new tab), Galatians 5:1 (opens in a new tab)).

The Christian has a Lord. Liberty gives no permission to continue in sin. Paul warns those called to freedom not to use it as an occasion to the flesh (Galatians 5:13 (opens in a new tab)). Believers serve one another in love.

God Alone Is Lord of the Conscience

Chapter 20.2 teaches that the conscience is free from human doctrines and commandments contrary to God's Word or added beside it in matters of faith and worship. A pastor may apply Scripture to real conduct, but he can't create new articles of faith or demand worship God never appointed. The church must teach and discipline according to Christ's Word (Colossians 2:20-23 (opens in a new tab), Matthew 15:9 (opens in a new tab)).

This isn't permission to ignore a lawful command merely because it comes through a person. Children owe obedience to parents within the Lord's limits, church members owe proper submission to elders, and citizens owe lawful obedience to magistrates (Ephesians 6:1 (opens in a new tab), Hebrews 13:17 (opens in a new tab), Romans 13:1-7 (opens in a new tab)). Where a command requires disobedience to God, we must obey God rather than men (Acts 5:29 (opens in a new tab)).

What the Original 1647 Text Says in Chapter 20.4

The original Confession also rejects the claim that Christian liberty authorizes opposition to lawful civil or ecclesiastical power. It teaches that those who publish opinions or maintain practices contrary to the light of nature, the known principles of Christianity, or the power of godliness, and those who destroy the external peace and order Christ established in the church, may be proceeded against by church censures and by the power of the civil magistrate (WCF 20.4 (opens in a new tab)).

That's a substantial difference from some later American Presbyterian revisions. Gentle King teaches the original text and doesn't quietly replace its public doctrine with a modern theory of a religiously neutral state. The same Confession prohibits a magistrate from administering the Word, sacraments, and keys of the kingdom (WCF 23.3 (opens in a new tab)). See The Civil Magistrate and Church Government.

How Do I Exercise Liberty Wisely?

Begin with what Scripture commands or forbids. Where a matter is lawful but not required, consider the duties of love, prudence, and the needs of others. Don't bind another Christian to a personal scruple as though it were a command of God. Don't use a claim of liberty to set aside the clear duties of worship, truthfulness, temperance, or charity.

Romans 14 (opens in a new tab) addresses disputes that call for patience, though it doesn't cancel God's commands. Bring serious questions of conscience to your elders. Read the original Westminster chapter 20 guide with its Scripture proofs.