Paul means freedom from the yoke of Mosaic Law bondage, not license to sin.
In Galatians 5:1, Paul urges believers to stand fast in the liberty wherewith Christ has made them free, and not be entangled again with the yoke of bondage. Les Feldick clarifies that this liberty is freedom from legalism and the demands of the law, but explicitly warns that it is not license to live as one pleases.
Galatians 5:1 — This verse directly commands believers to stand fast in the liberty Christ provided and avoid the yoke of bondage, which is the core of Paul's teaching on liberty.
In Galatians 5:1, Paul exhorts believers to 'Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.' This verse is set in the context of Paul's argument against the Judaizers who were compelling Gentile believers to follow the Mosaic Law, including circumcision and dietary regulations. The 'liberty' spoken of is the freedom from the law's demands that Christ has secured for believers. Paul contrasts this liberty with the 'yoke of bondage,' which refers to the burden of trying to be justified by the law. This liberty is not a freedom to sin; rather, it is a freedom from the legal requirements that could not save.
Les Feldick explains that Paul's concept of 'liberty' in Galatians is primarily freedom from the Mosaic Law and its demands, such as circumcision and dietary laws. He emphasizes that this liberty is not license—believers are not free to live as they please. Instead, true freedom is found in Christ, enabling believers to search the Scriptures and live without the heavy yoke of legalism. Les repeatedly stresses that Galatians was written to counter Jewish believers who were trying to bring Gentile converts back under the law. The liberty Paul describes is a positional freedom in Christ that should not be abandoned for legalistic practices.
The yoke of bondage refers to the Mosaic Law and legalism, as Les Feldick explains. In the clips, he identifies it as 'the law, Judaism' and 'the heavy yoke of legalism' from which believers are set free.
Les clearly states that 'liberty is not license.' Believers are not given the freedom to live as they please simply because they are saved by grace. Instead, liberty in Christ means freedom from legalism, while still living in a way that honors God.
Les explains that the Galatian believers were being pressured by Jewish believers to return to the law, including circumcision and full observance of Judaism. Paul wrote Galatians to refute this and to affirm that believers are not under the law's demands.
Les points out that this liberty includes the freedom to search the Scriptures and come to one's own conclusions, as well as freedom from the heavy hand of legalism. It is a positional liberty that every believer enjoys, but it must not be misused as license.
Context of False Teachers
Les describes how false teachers can subtly infiltrate the church, which sets the stage for the danger of legalism that Paul addresses in Galatians.
Stand Fast in Liberty
Les explains that Galatians 5:1 calls believers to stand fast in the liberty Christ provided, not to be entangled again in the yoke of bondage, which he equates with legalism.
Purpose of Galatians
Les highlights that Galatians was written to counter Jewish believers who were trying to impose the law, including circumcision, on Gentile believers, and emphasizes freedom from those demands.
Legalizers and Circumcision
Les explains that Paul's warning against circumcision is about depending on fleshly works for salvation, and that mixing law with grace diminishes Christ's work.
Liberty is Not License
Les explicitly clarifies that liberty is not license, and that believers are not to abuse their freedom in Christ to live as they please.
Liberty in Christ vs. Bondage
Les explains that the false teachers spied out the believers' liberty in Christ to bring them back under the law, but Paul refused to give in, even for an hour.
Liberty and the Veil
Les connects liberty to the removal of the veil when one turns to the Lord, allowing believers to search the Scriptures freely without the heavy hand of legalism.
Freedom in Believing
Les states that true freedom is experienced when one becomes a believer, but again stresses that this freedom is not license, and believers are not to be entangled in legalism.
Galatians 5:1: Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.
This is the key verse directly answering the question, defining liberty as freedom from the law's yoke.
2 Corinthians 3:17: Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.
This verse is referenced by Les to illustrate that liberty comes from the Spirit, contrasting with legalism.
Galatians 5:13: For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.
This verse reinforces that liberty is not license, which aligns with Les's teaching.
Paul refers to the freedom believers have in Christ from the demands of the Mosaic Law, such as circumcision and dietary laws. This liberty is not license to sin but freedom from legalism.
The yoke of bondage is the Mosaic Law and legalism. Paul warns believers not to return to trying to be justified by the law, which cannot save, but to stand in the liberty Christ provided.
No. Les Feldick emphasizes that Christian liberty is not license. Believers are free from legalism but not free to live in sin; they are called to serve one another in love.
Watch the Teaching: What the Bible Really Says About Grace vs. Law — Galatians Chapter 2