1. What Antinomianism Teaches
Antinomianism comes from the Greek words anti (against) and nomos (law). It is the doctrine that Christians are not bound by any moral law. Extreme antinomians teach that the Ten Commandments are entirely abolished for believers. More moderate antinomians teach that while the law has some use, it has no authority over the conscience of the believer. Some claim that because believers are under grace, they may sin freely without consequences. Others teach that good works are not necessary for the Christian life. Antinomianism is a distortion of the doctrine of justification by faith alone, turning God's grace into a license for sin.
2. Why Antinomianism Is False: Scripture Teaches That Faith Without Works Is Dead
James confronts antinomianism directly: "What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead." James is not teaching justification by works; he is teaching that genuine faith produces good works. A professing faith that does not result in obedience is not saving faith. Antinomianism separates faith from obedience, creating a dead, barren faith that cannot save. Paul agrees: "For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but faith working through love." True faith works through love.
3. Scripture Teaches That Believers Are Created for Good Works
Paul writes, "For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them." Good works are not the cause of salvation but the purpose of salvation. God saves believers so that they will walk in good works. The same apostle who wrote "by grace you have been saved through faith, not of works" also wrote "created for good works." Antinomianism ignores the purpose clause. Believers are saved unto good works, not from good works.
4. Scripture Teaches That the Moral Law Is Holy, Just, and Good
Paul asks, "What shall we say then? Is the law sin? Certainly not! On the contrary, I would not have known sin except through the law." He declares, "The law is holy, and the commandment holy and just and good." The moral law reflects the character of God. It is not abolished for believers; it is fulfilled in them. Paul writes, "That the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit." The Spirit enables believers to keep the moral law, not as a means of salvation but as fruit of salvation.
5. Scripture Teaches That Grace Teaches Us to Say No to Ungodliness
Paul writes, "For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age." Grace is not a license to sin; it is a teacher that instructs believers to renounce sin and live righteously. Antinomianism reverses the teaching of grace, turning it into permission for sin. True grace produces holiness, not license. The same grace that saves also sanctifies.
6. Scripture Warns Against Turning Grace into Licentiousness
Jude writes, "For certain men have crept in unnoticed, who long ago were marked out for this condemnation, ungodly men, who turn the grace of our God into licentiousness and deny the only Lord God and our Lord Jesus Christ." The apostle warns that there are those who pervert grace into a permission to sin. These are false teachers. Peter also warns, "They promise them liberty, while they themselves are slaves of corruption; for by whom a person is overcome, by him also he is brought into bondage." Antinomianism promises freedom but delivers bondage to sin.
7. Scripture Teaches That Believers Must Walk in Obedience
Jesus said, "If you love Me, keep My commandments." Love for Christ is demonstrated by obedience. John writes, "Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments. He who says, 'I know Him,' and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him." Antinomianism separates knowledge of Christ from obedience to Christ. But John says that claim is a lie. True knowledge of Christ produces obedience. Paul writes, "For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome."
8. How to Correct One Who Believes Antinomianism
First, take the person to James 2:14-26. Ask: Can a faith that produces no works save? Second, read Ephesians 2:10. Ask: Why does Paul say believers are created for good works? Third, read Romans 3:31. Ask: Does faith establish the law or make it void? Fourth, read Romans 6:1-2. Ask: What is Paul's response to the idea that we should continue in sin? Fifth, read Jude 1:4. Ask: What does Jude say about those who turn grace into licentiousness? Sixth, read 1 John 2:3-6. Ask: How does John say we can know that we know Christ? Finally, pray that they would understand that grace does not abolish the moral law but establishes it, and that true faith produces good works as its fruit.
9. The Danger of Antinomianism for the Believer's Heart
Antinomianism leads to licentiousness, allowing believers to sin without conscience. It undermines the pursuit of holiness, which is God's will for every believer. It produces a false assurance, allowing people to claim faith while living in disobedience. It dishonors God, whose grace is slandered as a license for sin. It damages the witness of the church, as unbelievers see no difference in the lives of professing Christians. It leads to spiritual stagnation and eventual apostasy. Antinomianism is not a small error; it is a dangerous heresy that perverts the gospel and destroys souls.
10. The Biblical Teaching: Grace Establishes the Law
The Bible teaches that believers are saved by grace alone through faith alone, not by works. But that same grace produces good works. The moral law of God is not abolished; it is written on the hearts of believers. They obey not to be saved but because they are saved. Their obedience is not perfect in this life, but it is genuine. The Spirit empowers them to walk in God's statutes. The law is a rule of life for the believer, not a means of salvation. Antinomianism denies this. Legalism adds works to faith for salvation. The biblical path is faith alone that works through love. Let every believer reject antinomianism and pursue holiness, knowing that without holiness no one will see the Lord.
Conclusion
Antinomianism is a false teaching that claims the moral law no longer applies to believers. It turns grace into a license for sin and separates faith from obedience. Scripture contradicts this at every point. Faith without works is dead. Believers are created for good works. The law is holy, just, and good. Grace teaches us to renounce ungodliness. True love for Christ is demonstrated by keeping His commandments. Correct this error with the Word of God. Proclaim that grace is not a license to sin but a power to obey. And call believers to walk in holiness, for without holiness no one will see the Lord.