Is Christian liberty a freedom to act contrary to the Word of God?
No. Christian liberty is not a license to sin or act contrary to the Word of God. Paul asks, 'Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?' and answers, 'God forbid!' Those dead to sin cannot live any longer therein; they are set free and at liberty, but not to contradict God's Word.
Les teaches from Romans 6:1-2 that Paul is still answering the slanderous report from Romans 3—that he preached people could do as they pleased. Paul asks, 'Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?' and answers, 'God forbid!' Les explains that believers are dead to sin and old Adam, so they cannot live any longer therein. Yes, they are set free and at liberty, but not liberty to go contrary to the Word of God; that wouldn't make sense. Liberty as a believer means that something not intrinsically sinful to one person may be sinful to another, so each must determine between himself and the Lord what his behavior will be in certain areas. Giving is one example.
What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?
God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?