The classifications of conservative or liberal are used to try to categorize the way people think about political, moral, and Biblical concepts. These two ideas are seen as being at odds with one another. When it comes to spiritual matters, we need to be both of these to be godly and pleasing to Him.
To be conservative is usually associated with maintaining traditional values and opposed to radical changes. In like manner we need to conserve those things that can’t be changed. We need to conserve truth. The church is the “pillar and support of truth” (1 Tim. 3:15). Paul said that they were “not walking in craftiness or adulterating the word of God, but by the manifestation of truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God” (2 Cor. 4:2). We are also instructed to “stand firm and hold to the traditions which you were taught” (2 Thess. 2:15). The psalmist wrote concerning God, “Behold, you delight in truth in the inward being,” and we should also (Psa. 51:6). It is clear that we should be concerned about conserving the pattern and set boundaries that God has ordained for us. Where God has spoken, we should not turn to the left or the right. We conserve what is truth. We shouldn’t take away from it or make it more burdensome. The Scribes and Pharisees went too far with their ideas of conservation. They “taught as doctrine the commandments of men” (Matt. 15:9). They would also “tie up heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on people’s shoulders” (Matt. 23:2-4). This is going beyond what God has established and binding where God has not bound.
Being liberal can be a good thing. It just depends on what we are liberal with. If we are liberal with truth, boundaries set by God, or the practices and examples set by the early church, then that isn’t good. Many have gone down the path of loosing where God has not loosed. However, if we are liberal with the things that God is liberal with, we find ourselves in the right place. God is liberal in love (John 3:16), grace (Rom. 5:20), patience and mercy (Rom. 9:22-24), forgiveness (Eph. 1:7), kindness (Titus 3:4-6), goodness (Psa. 31:19-20). These are all attributes that we need to be liberal with, just as our heavenly Father (Luke 6:36; Matt. 6:15; Gal. 6:10). These are not easy things to do. It is easier to blame others, burn bridges, and cut people off in the name of righteousness. That is not the example we have from our Lord.
As we think about conservatism and liberalism, there are times that we need to be both and neither. If we let godliness be our guide, we find ourselves in more navigable waters—not trying to keep in step with the whims of men but with the absolutes of God in His word and His nature.