The danger of Antinomianism
An unshakable faith is a Biblically founded faith. In this series of blogs titled: “Unshakable Faith”, we will examine those beliefs that can ultimately build our faith or place our faith on shaky ground. We will examine faith that is unshakable as we look to the scriptures as a whole not just in part, so that we assure we are building our faith on solid unshakable ground. In this first blog I want to discuss Antinomianism.
Antinomianism is a theological belief that rejects the idea that divine law or moral law is necessary for salvation. It is a belief that the grace of God alone is necessary for salvation and that moral law is irrelevant. While this belief is seen as liberating and freeing to some believers, it can also lead to some negative consequences.
First, it can lead to a lax understanding of morality and a disregard for ethical behavior. If believers think that their salvation is based solely on the grace of God and not on any kind of moral law, then they may not take their moral obligations seriously. This can lead to a lack of respect for authority and a disregard for basic moral principles.
Second, this belief can lead to a lack of accountability, as believers may think that they do not have to answer to anyone for their behavior. Without any kind of divine or moral law, there is no accountability or judgment for their actions. This can lead to a lack of responsibility and an overreliance on grace.
Third, antinomianism can lead to an excessive focus on grace to the exclusion of other spiritual disciplines. If believers focus solely on the grace of God to the exclusion of other spiritual disciplines, such as prayer and study of scripture, then their faith may become shallow and hollow.
Finally, antinomianism can lead to a dangerous misunderstanding of God’s character. If believers think that grace alone is necessary for salvation, then they may believe that God is only a God of mercy and not a God of justice. This can lead to an incorrect and unbalanced view of God’s character.
Antinomianism can lead to some negative consequences, such as a lax understanding of morality, a lack of accountability, an excessive focus on grace, and a dangerous misunderstanding of God’s character. While some believers may find the belief liberating and freeing, it is important to be aware of the potential pitfalls of this belief. The greatest of which is to attempt to build a faith upon Jesus as your Savior but not as your Lord.
Lordship is at the crux of the gospel message.
24 Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.25 For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. 26 For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul? (Matt. 16:24-26)
Jesus is the Savior, no other sacrifice can atone for the sin of mankind. He was the perfect sin offering and only by receiving what He accomplished for us can one be saved. However one cannot be saved without submitting to the Lordship of Jesus Christ over their life. Jesus is not a rescuer on eternal life guard duty. He is Lord!
“Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.” (Acts 2:36)
The question is not are you saved? The question we must answer is this…Is Jesus Lord over my life? Am I directing my life and asking God to adapt His will for my life to my will for my life, or am I living a life that is surrendered to the Lordship and leadership of Jesus in every aspect of my life walk? If Jesus is Lord in your life, your faith is being built on a SURE foundation.
Pastor Alan Kirkpatrick is lead pastor at Grace Place Church.