That nails it to the wall!

Hi Ida

First off, God did not just say the things in the Law for Israel to trust and obey just because He said so. His commands always had a purpose, a purpose that every Israelite could understand. Moreover, He did not give Israel his dietary laws because the eating of some foods may have had some malevolent physical consequences for his people, the Jews. We find the reason and purpose for giving his dietary laws in Leviticus 11:44, “For I am the LORD your God: ye shall, therefore, sanctify yourselves, and ye shall be holy; for I am holy: neither shall ye defile yourselves with any manner of creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. (Leviticus 11:44).

Two words stand out in this verse – “sanctification” and “holy.” Sanctification means to be set apart for the use of the designer” and “holy” (which is similar to sanctification) means to be dedicated, hallowed or sanctified unto the will of God. The one thing God chose Israel for, and which required them to be sanctified and holy unto the Lord, was to prepare them as a nation so that the Father may use them to give the world his Savior. (John 4:22). In order for God the Son to be fully human, He needed an ancestry like anyone else. However, his ancestry needed to be set apart from all the other nations who indulged in idolatry, sexual immorality, gluttony, drunkenness, debauchery, child sacrifice, etc. etc. And one of the means God chose to remind his people that they needed to live sanctified and holy lives in separateness from all the other nations, was to give them his dietary laws.

The so-called unclean animals were not of themselves unclean because they allegedly caused all kinds of physical illnesses. God declared them unclean in his chosen depiction of all the other unclean nations. Eating, as you may know, is one of the most intimate acts we can participate in. It not only satisfies hunger; it also enhances fellowship, relationships, friendships, and so forth. Thus, whenever the Jews ate their meals it reminded them of their separateness unto the Lord, and their distinctiveness from all the surrounding idolatrous nations who were all depicted by the unclean animals. The apostle Peter knew this too well, causing him not to eat with Gentiles because in his mind they were still unclean (separated from the Jews). God had to give him a vision or a sign from heaven (1 Corinthians 1:22) to show him that the New Covenant which was inaugurated by the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ did not require such a separation any longer. In fact, Jesus Himself censured any abstention from foods for the sake of pious religious habits and rituals. (Matthew 15:11).

The only reason for not eating certain foods (like pork and seafood) can and must only be based on the fact the one is allergic to it and, therefore, not good for one’s health. Anything other than this, such as keeping the Law, is religious hypocrisy. Christians who keep the dietary laws of Leviticus must then also keep the law on mixed fabrics in Leviticus 19:19 and Ezekiel 44:17-18.

Seeker (of the Truth).

Allow me to ask you whether you are sincerely Truth(ful) when asked some questions, like for instance, do you eat pork?

The article about lent is quite understandable and I couldn’t agree more. I was referring to your answer to Juan, when you said it was legalistic to give up pork.

Was just wondering what you would say the difference is between the prompting of the Holy Spirit in a believer’s life to stop sinning, and the reading of the Law of Moses and also the New Testament, which also commands the same thing to a believer, to repent and turn from sin. Is there a difference between the written Word and the Spirit? 2 Tim 3: 15-17 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

All scripture [is] given by inspiration of God, and [is] profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.

It is the work of the Holy Spirit to convince us by both his Word and his Spirit that this testimony is true. So.. will the Law say: “don’t eat Pork”!, but the Spirit say “eat it!” huh? :ohno:

Seeker

There is a vast difference between the Holy Spirit’s conviction of sin and the subsequent confession and repentance that follows it and the annual ritualistic abstinence from meats, chocolates, coffee and whatnot during the festivities of pagan origin. The Mardi Gras, an equally horrific pagan festival of nudity, sex, and debauchery, usually precedes Lent when participants whoop it up and then when Lent arrives, they suddenly and hypocritically imitate Jesus’ 40-day fast. I’m surprised that you who say you are a Christian cannot see the difference. There is not a single instance in the Bible where we are commanded to celebrate Lent. You may as well take part in the fasting of Ramadan.

Is it also “legalistic” to give up drugs, smoking, drinking, stealing, murder and homosexuality and lent and pork and other sins?

How is it not pleasing to God? Are these things not elementary and milk, and part of holy living, and sanctification after salvation?

I can give up lent as easily as giving up my small shoes that press on my bunions. Giving up sin is a pleasure, I would give up anything for my God. I will follow the Law that He gave to Moses, because He wrote it on my heart. Am I doing wrong, Tom?

Very interesting article Tom. As a born again believer in Jesus Christ, I will not put a black cross on my fore head on Ash Wednesday, nor will I do lent, nor ramadan, nor sit in a place where a ghuru sings to poor old Alla (false god with no son). I want NO part in it. Lent is not cool. :nope:

Hi Juan,

Both are legalistic and, therefore, wrong and not pleasing to the Lord.