Bible
Study Letters Online Tracts
Bible
Study Letters Online Tracts
Dealing With Freedom of Conscience
[ Bottom of Page ] [ Words to the hymn, Free From The Law ]
Reaching forth...
Freedom of Conscience
Believers hold to Freedom of Conscience and Individuality because the Bible
teaches, “One is your master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren”
(Matt.23:8), and “Every one of us shall give account of himself to God”
(Rom.14:12). This important truth is often misunderstood.
Men stand before God as individualists alone, as the Scripture shows: “The
soul that sinneth, it shall die. The son shall not bear the iniquity of the
father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son: the righteousness
of the righteous shall be upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be
upon him” and then, “For every man shall bear his own burden”
(Ezek.18:4,20,30; Matt.3:9-10; Gal.6:5).
The conscience must be taught truth (John 17:17). What makes one thing right and
another wrong is because God commands it to be so. We read, “There is a way
which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death”
(Pr.14:12; 16:25), and “Every way of a man is right in his own eyes”
(Pr.21:2), plus “Lean not unto thine own understanding. Be not wise in thine
own eyes” (Pr.3:5,7).
The conscience of one man might say one thing is right and another man would say
something different is right. Then some say there is no right or wrong. It is
easy to see the conscience is not a judge or guide of right or wrong, but is a
creature of education and must be taught.
Seeing it is God’s say so that determines right and wrong it is easy to define
sin: “Sin is the transgression of the law” (1 John 3:4). So the Bible is
indeed our only standard to teach us right from wrong. And the Bible is
clear—we are not to continue in sin (Rom.6:1-2).
Jesus says, “Teach them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded
you” (Matt.28:20), and that is the Word (Ps.119:160). The Bible is the
standard to which all men can come, and which when submitted to will have all
men doing what the Lord says.
While we have mutual responsibilities to each other, we yet stand alone before
God. Jesus said, “If any man come to Me, and hate not his father, and mother,
and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also,
he cannot be My disciple” (Luke 14:26). One must love and obey God before any
man (1 Cor.7:23;Matt.10:35; 23:8).
Even the apostle Paul did not demand any to submit to him, unless they were
willing. Not even another believer (Philemon 14). This freedom is shown in
believer’s baptism, it being their free informed statement of a good
conscience toward God (1 Pet.3:21).
The responsibility we have to warn men they will answer to God should not be
neglected (Ezek.3:17-21; 2 Cor.5:11). Human government, of the family, church,
or state as ordained of God to be a terror not to good works, but to the evil
likewise needs our attention (Rom.13:1-5).
Neither parent, nor government, nor church, may take the place of God as Lord of
the conscience. Obey God, not man (Matt.15:9; 23:8; Acts 5:29; Rom.14:12;
Col.3:23). Hold to Freedom of Conscience, as Believers are
Individualists.
Freedom of conscience spoken of in church order is not to be thought a means of neglecting the Word of God, and of not using the Word of God for faith and practice. When freedom of conscience and the priesthood of believers is referred to what is meant should not be the ignoring of what the Scripture says. Freedom of conscience used as a supposed license to sin is evil.
Romans 3:3-4
3 For what if some did not believe? shall their unbelief make the faith of God without effect?
4 God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written, That thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art judged.
Those that would not adhere to plain passages of Bible that describe the faith, of themselves wanting a place in the church, should not be forced to comply in the church but instead should be rebuked for their variance from the truth. They should be rebuked. The order given by Scripture and not the will of men determines the ones to be added to the church. Even baptism is the answer of a clear conscience, but error is shown by those that take a baby and by water baptism imagine to add them to the church. Baptism is for those that of themselves believe. Freedom of conscience is shown there. Believers that present themselves admitted to the church, and by a charitable estimation the church should receive them based on their testimony and practice of life. The Lord knows those that are His, and they are to depart from iniquity.
2 Tim 2:19
19 Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.
The grace of God that brings salvation having appeared to all men teaches us to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts
Titus 2:11-15
11 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,
12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;
13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;
14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.
15 These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee.
When freedom of conscience and the priesthood of the believer are referred to, and the choice is given to either obey the faith or deny the faith, allowing the imagination from the hearts of men (Jeremiah 17:9), promoting their conscience to a place of prominence over the Word of God, there is great evil in allowing this to go without rebuke from the church.
Jer 17:9
9 The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?
While the individual is not to be forced by civil or church authority to attend to the things of God, if they give no heed to the things of God clearly shown in Scripture, while of themselves wanting a place in the church, the church should censor them, by rebuke, and follow the commands of Scripture, not to force them to comply but that there would clearly be shown the difference between those that are approved according to the Word by God’s description of those of faith, and those that are not approved.
1 Cor 11:19
19 For there must be also heresies among you, that they which are approved may be made manifest among you.
Where is the distinction but by clear actions shown by those of faith in obeying our Lord and His Word. The Word says rebuke, while men blink at sin. The ignorance God winks at commanding all to repent. Some are without changes. You must be born again.
The Psalmist speaks of being of faith, born again, compared to those without change, the lost
Psalms 55:18-19
18 He hath delivered my soul in peace from the battle that was against me: for there were many with me.
19 God shall hear, and afflict them, even he that abideth of old. Selah. Because they have no changes, therefore they fear not God.
Some of themselves think to cause salvation. You must be born again.
Jer 2:22
22 For though thou wash thee with nitre, and take thee much soap, yet thine iniquity is marked before me, saith the Lord GOD.
Some think by forcing the things of God on one will cause salvation, and so error on the freedom of conscience
Prov 27:22
22 Though thou shouldest bray a fool in a mortar among wheat with a pestle, yet will not his foolishness depart from him.
The grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world. The Word of God is profitable to godliness. It is what the Scriptures say and not the imaginations of men that is authoritative for the believer. Freedom of conscience is not to be used for turning away from the truth. The unbelief of some does not make void the Word.
2 Cor 2:17
17 For we are not as many, which corrupt the word of God: but as of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God speak we in Christ.John 17:17
17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.2 Timothy 4:2-4
2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.
3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;
4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.
Rebuke is not to destroy, but restore
2 Cor 7:11
11 For behold this selfsame thing, that ye sorrowed after a godly sort, what carefulness it wrought in you, yea, what clearing of yourselves, yea, what indignation, yea, what fear, yea, what vehement desire, yea, what zeal, yea, what revenge! In all things ye have approved yourselves to be clear in this matter.
Men might present themselves with pride, having great prominence, but not man’s choice but God’s is what matters.
2 Cor 10:18
18 For not he that commendeth himself is approved, but whom the Lord commendeth.
Look to the Scriptures, that your rule of faith and practice:
2 Tim 2:15
15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
Let wicked be ashamed, be watchful of those with the conscience seared
Ps 31:17
17 Let me not be ashamed, O LORD; for I have called upon thee: let the wicked be ashamed, and let them be silent in the grave.Jer 3:3
3 Therefore the showers have been withholden, and there hath been no latter rain; and thou hadst a whore's forehead, thou refusedst to be ashamed.Jer 6:15
15 Were they ashamed when they had committed abomination? nay, they were not at all ashamed, neither could they blush: therefore they shall fall among them that fall: at the time that I visit them they shall be cast down, saith the LORD.1 Tim 4:2
2 Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;
The conscience is corrupt and is no standard of right and wrong. Let God be true and every man a liar. What saith the Scriptures? Be sober, be vigilant; For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.
1 Peter 5:6-11
6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:
7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.
8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
9 Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.
10 But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.
11 To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
Were the church to present a message that says, There is the Word of God, now either obey what it says or not, neglect it if you like, just let us have one purse together there is great evil.
Free From Sin, Free From The Law.
Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God. (1 John 3:9)
Free From The Law
Words: Philip Paul Bliss, Sunshine for Sunday Schools, 1873.
Music: Once for All, Philip Paul Bliss.Free from the law, O happy condition,
Jesus has bled and there is remission,
Cursed by the law and bruised by the fall,
Grace hath redeemed us once for all.Once for all, O sinner, receive it,
Once for all, O brother, believe it;
Cling to the cross, the burden will fall
Christ hath redeemed us once for all.Once for all, O sinner, receive it,
Once for all, O brother, believe it;
Cling to the cross, the burden will fall
Christ hath redeemed us once for all.Now we are free, there’s no condemnation,
Jesus provides a perfect salvation.
“Come unto Me,” O hear His sweet call,
Come, and He saves us once for all.Once for all, O sinner, receive it,
Once for all, O brother, believe it;
Cling to the cross, the burden will fall
Christ hath redeemed us once for all.“Children of God,” O glorious calling,
Surely His grace will keep us from falling;
Passing from death to life at His call;
Blessèd salvation once for all.Once for all, O sinner, receive it,
Once for all, O brother, believe it;
Cling to the cross, the burden will fall
Christ hath redeemed us once for all.
For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth. (Romans 10:4)
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