Les Feldick teaches that Paul's liberty is freedom from legalism—never a license to live as we please.
Paul calls believers to stand fast in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free and not be entangled again with the yoke of bondage, which Les identifies as legalism, the law, and Judaism. Les repeatedly stresses that this liberty is not license: believers are not given freedom to live as they please simply because God saved them by grace. Grace is not license, and true Christianity is liberty, not lawless living.
Galatians 5:1 — Paul explicitly commands believers to stand fast in the liberty Christ provides and to avoid being entangled again in the yoke of bondage.
Galatians 5:1 (KJV) says, "Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage." Verse 2 continues, "Behold, I Paul say unto you, that if ye be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing." Scripture clearly distinguishes liberty from license: the liberty Christ gives is freedom from the yoke of bondage, not freedom to sin. The warning about circumcision shows that depending on any fleshly act for salvation empties the cross of its power. Thus, biblical liberty is freedom from legalistic demands, not permission for self-indulgence.
Les Feldick explains that Galatians was written because Jewish believers were hammering the Galatians to come back under the law, practicing circumcision and Judaism to the fullest extent. Paul's command to "stand fast" means remaining immovable in the liberty Christ provided and not becoming entangled in legalism. Yet Les is emphatic: "Grace is not license" and "Liberty is not license." Believers are not given freedom to live as they please simply because God saved them by grace. Christian liberty means no one stands over the believer with a heavy whip; every believer exercises free choice. However, Les also points out that although all things are lawful because the believer is not under law, not all things are expedient and not all things edify. Every believer must be careful what they practice because believers and unbelievers alike are constantly watching.
No. Les Feldick says directly, "I never imply that we are now free to do as we please. Oh God forbid!" and "We are not given the freedom to live as we please simply because God has saved us by His grace." He repeats, "Grace is not license" and "Liberty is not license." While a believer is not under the law, Les teaches that not all things are expedient and not all things edify. The believer must be careful in what they do because others are watching.
Les Feldick identifies the "yoke of bondage" as legalism, the law, and Judaism. Paul tells the Galatian believers not to be entangled again with this yoke. Les explains that Galatians was written because these believers were being pressured by Jewish believers to return to the law and practice circumcision. Therefore, liberty in Christ means being set free from that yoke of legalistic requirements.
Why Mixing Law and Grace Cancels the Work of the Cross
least, to Genesis. All the way back to Genesis. Do you remember when Hagar was first pregnant? She hadn't even had her child yet. What did she start doing to poor old Sarah? Taunting her, making life miserable, ha ha, you know, I'm pregnant, you can't be.
Freedom From the Yoke of Bondage
Les teaches that Galatians 5:1-2 admonishes believers to stand fast in Christ's liberty and not be caught again under the yoke of bondage, which is legalism, the law, and Judaism; relying on circumcision for salvation means Christ profits nothing.
Standing Immovable in Liberty
Les repeats that Galatians was written to refute Jewish believers pressuring the Galatians to return to law and circumcision; "stand fast" means immovable in liberty, not entangled in legalism.
Freedom Is Not License
Les stresses that Christian freedom is not license—believers are not free to live as they please simply because God saved them by grace.
Liberty Even for Carnal Believers
Les emphasizes standing fast "with your feet in concrete" in the liberty Christ gives; even carnal Corinthians enjoyed Christian liberty, and believers shouldn't get tangled in bondage.
Grace Is Not License
Les says grace is not license; a believer is not under law but must still consider what is expedient and edifying, because others, believers and unbelievers alike, are watching.
Liberty Without a Heavy Whip
Les teaches that Christian liberty means Paul didn't force the Corinthians with a heavy whip; believers are not where they are because someone forced them.
Liberty Is Not License
Les states "True Christianity is liberty, and liberty is not license"—believers shouldn't put themselves under a legalistic situation where someone just lays down the law.
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.
Paul commands believers to stand fast in the liberty Christ provides and to avoid the yoke of bondage.
Galatians 5:2: Behold, I Paul say unto you, that if ye be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing.
Paul warns that relying on circumcision (a fleshly work) for salvation leaves Christ profiting nothing.
Les Feldick teaches that liberty in the gospel of grace is freedom from legalism, not freedom to do as we please. He says, "Grace is not license" and "Liberty is not license." Believers are not given freedom to live as they please simply because God saved them by grace; though all things are lawful because believers are not under law, not all things edify.
No. Les Feldick says, "I never imply that we are now free to do as we please. Oh God forbid!" Grace sets believers free from the yoke of legalism, but that freedom is not a license to live in the flesh. Believers must still be careful what they do because others are watching.
Les Feldick identifies it as legalism, the law, and Judaism. Paul warns believers not to be entangled again with this yoke, which refers to teaching that salvation requires keeping the law, such as circumcision. Liberty in Christ means being free from that yoke.
Watch the Teaching: Why Mixing Law and Grace Cancels the Work of the Cross