Legalism

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Are New testament believers under the law?

No.  The Law is for those to whom it was given.  It should be understood the purpose of the Law remains forever.  That purpose is to show the sinfulness of man, so in this sense the Law is for us.  Romans 3:19,20 "Now we know that whatever the Law says, it speaks to those who are under the Law, so that every mouth may be closed and all the world may become accountable to God; 20 because by the works of the Law no flesh will be justified in His sight; for through the Law comes the knowledge of sin."   

Clearly the teaching of Paul on this matter is that the Law has an educational purpose.  We become aware that we are sinners by our inability to keep the Law.  God exposes to man the need for Christ by showing man's sinfulness. Galatians 3:24 "Therefore the Law has become our tutor [to lead us] to Christ, that we may be justified by faith. 25  But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor ".

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What is legalism?

Some have falsely concluded that Legalism is when a group, church or family sets and enforces rules.  The maintenance of standards and values is not legalism.  The spirit of legalism is when it is directly stated or implied that one can obtain salvation or spirituality through keeping a set of rules.  God's pattern for pleasing God is through faith in Christ alone.  We cannot obtain anything in our own effort.  The flesh is not capable of producing anything that will please God.

When I was younger and didn't like certain rules I cried legalism.  No one implied that I would be spiritual through keeping the rules; I just didn't like the standards presented, so I used ad homonym argument to dismiss it.  Social groups, families, and church have rules to establish order.  However, only through faith can we please God.

Galatians 3:1 "You foolish Galatians, who has bewitched you, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed [as] crucified?  2 This is the only thing I want to find out from you: did you receive the Spirit by the works of the Law, or by hearing with faith?  3  Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh?  4  Did you suffer so many things in vain-- if indeed it was in vain?  5  Does He then, who provides you with the Spirit and works miracles among you, do it by the works of the Law, or by hearing with faith?  6  Even so Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness."

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Do Christians actually have Christian liberty?

Yes.  Paul deals with Christian liberty in 1 Corinthians 8-10 not as a license to act in this liberty but rather as an opportunity to balance your liberty with love for your brothers in 1 Corinthians 8,9 and the unbeliever in 1 Corinthians 10.  Our liberty is found in the blood of Christ.  The salvation we enjoy is a matter of faith not works (Ephesians 2:8,9) and the spiritual life is also a matter of faith (Gal. 3:1-5).

We should follow the Word in holiness and righteous behavior.  However, we should understand that the way to walk in holiness is not human effort but by Divine power.  1 Peter 5:5 "...clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, for God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble.  6  Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time,  7  casting all your anxiety upon Him, because He cares for you.  8.  Be of sober [spirit,] be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls about like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.  9 But resist him, firm in [your] faith, knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brethren who are in the world."  God is the source of overcoming satanic attack, not our strength.

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If I walk in liberty, do I risk the loss of my salvation?

Salvation has always been by the grace of God, even under the Law. God's grace is based on His character not on man's merits.  Man is lost and incapable of saving himself, no matter how righteous he may be relative to others.  Salvation is based on absolute righteousness, i.e. the righteousness of God.  Note this concept presented in Romans 3:19  "Now we know that whatever the Law says, it speaks to those who are under the Law, that every mouth may be closed, and all the world may become accountable to God; 20 because by the works of the Law no flesh will be justified in His sight; for through the Law [comes] the knowledge of sin.  21 But now apart from the Law [the] righteousness of God has been manifested, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, 22 even [the] righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all those who believe; for there is no distinction; 23  for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,  24  being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus;  25  whom God displayed publicly as a propitiation in His blood through faith. [This was] to demonstrate His righteousness, because in the forbearance of God He passed over the sins previously committed; 26  for the demonstration, [I say,] of His righteousness at the present time, that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.  27 Where then is boasting? It is excluded. By what kind of law? Of works? No, but by a law of faith."

God has given His own righteousness to those who believe.  Don't let anyone convince you that you don't have righteousness, if you truly believe in Christ.  God promises this absolute righteousness imputed to those who believe.  Praise God for His grace.

Now to answer the question:  Our liberty is not a license to sin.  Our liberty is freedom from legalistic constraints.  We serve God not out of a desire to be made righteous but because we are righteous.  We are now free to serve Him out of love.  We should be very careful not to seek to restrain others' liberty for our own comfort, based on personal conviction.  This is judgment of our brother.  We should also be careful not to live in such a way as to be a stumbling block to our brother.

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What are the reasons to restrict my liberty?

The law of liberty must always be balanced by the "law of love."  1 Corinthians 8:10 "for if someone sees you, who have knowledge, dining in an idol's temple, will not his conscience, if he is weak, be strengthened to eat things sacrificed to idols?  11 For through your knowledge he who is weak is ruined, the brother for whose sake Christ died.  12 And thus, by sinning against the brethren and wounding their conscience when it is weak, you sin against Christ.  13 Therefore, if food causes my brother to stumble, I will never eat meat again, that I might not cause my brother to stumble".  1 Corinthians 8-10 deals with those areas that are not forbidden and yet are socially disputed as morally right or wrong.  It is clear, that even though you may have liberty to participate in certain activities you should not abandon your restraint and do whatever you please.  You should consider your brother's weaknesses and function within the constraints of love.  

For example, if you feel the liberty to drink wine you should consider your action in format of someone who struggles with alcohol.  You don't want to be a stumbling block.  Also, there are those who are offended by the drinking of wine.  You should consider their weak conscience and restrict your behavior in their presence.  This is not hypocritical but is a matter of love.  

Love trumps liberty.  Knowledge releases a weak conscience from the need to censor the behavior of others.  We should be completely educated on the moral boundaries of Scripture in distinction to cultural restrictions of man.  Once we come to a biblical conclusion on morality and ethics we can live in freedom to love our brother.

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