1689 21.1

21.1. Of Christian Liberty and Liberty of Conscience

The Liberty which Christ hath purchased for Believers under the Gospel, consists in their freedom from the guilt of Sin, the condemning wrath of God, the Rigour and Curse of the Law; and in their being delivered from this present evil World, Bondage to Satan, and Dominion of Sin; from the Evil of Afflictions; the Fear, and Sting of Death, the Victory of the Grave, and Everlasting Damnation; as also in their free access to God; and their yielding Obedience unto him not out of a slavish fear, but a Child-like love, and willing mind.

Proof texts

• Galatians 3:13 — [13] Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us — for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree” —
• Galatians 1:4 — [4] who gave himself for our sins to deliver us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father,
• Acts 26:18 — [18] to open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.’
• Romans 8:3 — [3] For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh,
• Romans 8:28 — [28] And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.
• 1 Corinthians 15:54-57 — [54] When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.” [55] “O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?” [56] The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. [57] But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
• 2 Thessalonians 1:10 — [10] when he comes on that day to be glorified in his saints, and to be marveled at among all who have believed, because our testimony to you was believed.
• Romans 8:15 — [15] For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!”
• Luke 1:73-75 — [73] the oath that he swore to our father Abraham, to grant us [74] that we, being delivered from the hand of our enemies, might serve him without fear, [75] in holiness and righteousness before him all our days.
• 1 John 4:18 — [18] There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love.
• Galatians 3:9, 14 — [9] So then, those who are of faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith. [14] so that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we might receive the promised Spirit through faith.
• John 7:38, 39 — [38] Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’” [39] Now this he said about the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were to receive, for as yet the Spirit had not been given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.
• Hebrews 10:19-21 — [19] Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, [20] by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, [21] and since we have a great priest over the house of God,

For discussion

1. The Assembly cited Galatians 3:13 in support of this answer. Read it in context — how does it bear on what is claimed here?
2. 13 passages are cited here. Which does the most work, and is anything claimed that the proofs do not obviously carry?
3. WCF 20.1 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?
4. WCF 20.2 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?

Read alongside

WCF 20.1 · WCF 20.2 · WCF 20.3 · WCF 20.4 · SD 21.1 · SD 21.2 · SD 21.3