Eating Laws Reconciled?

Eating Laws Reconciled?

What about followers of Jesus/Yahshua who follow all or portions of Moses eating Laws? 

Prepared by Jonathan Israel, www.ConnectionMagazine.org  

WARNING: In 1 Timothy 1:7, Bible Scripture warns of those "Desiring to be teachers of the law; understanding neither what they say, nor whereof they affirm." 

Old or first covenant believers were introduced to the elementary law known as "tutor" or "guardian". New Covenant believers are introduced to an advanced or higher level of law or FAITH called "Law of the Spirit", "Law of Faith", and "Law of Liberty". 

Galatians 3:22W24, Before the coming of this faith, we were held in custody under the law, locked up until the FAITH that was to come would be revealed.   So the law was our guardian UNTIL Christ came that we might be justified by faith. Now that this faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian. 

Romans 8:2, For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.   

The old or first covenant that the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob made with His people was based on the laws implemented by Moses. But remember, prior to the law, the10 Commandments had been given to the people in the wilderness before reaching the promised land of Israel. 

Interesting to note: the tablets inscribed with the 10 Commandments were kept inside the Ark of the Covenant, and the laws, statutes and precepts were kept outside of the Ark. 

Jesus addresses dietary laws in light of spiritual purity ...  

Mark 7:14W23, Again Jesus called the crowd to him and said, "Listen to me, everyone, and understand this. Nothing outside a person can defile them by going into them. Rather, it is what comes out of a person that defiles them." After he had left the crowd and entered the house, his disciples asked him about this parable. "Are you so dull?" he asked. "Don't you see that nothing that enters a person from the outside can defile them? For it doesn't go into their heart but into their stomach, and then out of the body." He went on: "What comes out of a person is what defiles them. For it is from within, out of a person's heart, that evil thoughts come-sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance and folly. All these evils come from inside and defile a person." 

The following dietary laws were given to Gentiles who repented of their sins and began to follow Jesus/Yahshua as Lord?  

Acts 15:19W20, "It is my judgment, therefore, that we should not make it difficult for the Gentiles who are turning to God. Instead we should write to them, telling them to abstain from food polluted by idols, from sexual immorality, from the meat of strangled animals and from blood. 
1 Corinthians 8:8, But food does not bring us near to God; we are no worse if we do not eat, and no better if we do. 

1 Timothy 4:4-6, For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving,   because it is consecrated by the word of God and prayer. I  f you point these things out to the brothers and sisters, you will be a good minister of Christ Jesus, nourished on the truths of the faith and of the good teaching that you have followed. 

Understanding New Covenant We Are Now Under   

Hebrews 9:9-14, This is an illustration for the present time, indicating that the gifts and sacrifices being offered were not able to clear the conscience of the worshiper. They are only a matter of  food and drink and various ceremonial washings-external regulations applying UNTIL the time of the new order  . But when Christ came as high priest of the good things that are now already here He went through the greater and more perfect tabernacle that is not made with human hands, that is to say, is not a part of this creation. He did not enter by means of the blood of goats and calves; but he entered the Most Holy Place once for all by his own blood, thus obtaining eternal redemption. The blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkled on those who are ceremonially unclean sanctify them so that they are outwardly clean. How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God! For this reason Christ is the mediator of a NEW Covenant, that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance-now that he has died as a ransom to set them free from the sins committed under the first covenant. 

More of Moses Covenant Law Compared to Jesus' Covenant Law of the Spirit 

Mark 10:1W12, Jesus then left that place and went into the region of Judea and across the Jordan. Again crowds of people came to him, and as was his custom, he taught them. Some Pharisees came and tested him by asking, "Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?" "What did Moses command you?" he replied. They said, "Moses permitted a man to write a certificate of divorce and send her away." "It was because your hearts were hard that Moses wrote you this law," Jesus replied. "But at the beginning of creation God 'made them male and female.' 'For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.' So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate." 

When they were in the house again, the disciples asked Jesus about this. He answered, "Anyone who divorces his wife and marries another woman commits adultery against her. And if she divorces her husband and marries another man, she commits adultery." 

      

So, which Covenant are you under? Who do you follow? So, What About The Law That Came Before Jesus/Yahshua 

Romans 2:23, You who boast in the law, do you dishonor God by breaking the law?

1 Corinthians 1:31, "Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord."

Galatians 6:14,   But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.

Philippians 3:3,   For we are the circumcision, who worship by the Spirit of God  [  a] and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh-

Galatians 3:19,   What purpose then does the law serve? It was added because of transgressions, till the Seed should come to whom the promise was made.

Moses allowed Divorce for any reason..... Jesus does not! 

Moses declared certain foods unclean and prohibited certain animals from being eaten, while Jesus says food does NOT defile and He allows all His created animals to be eaten if received by faith and with thanksgiving. 

Colossians 2:13W17, And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;   Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;   And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it. Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of a holyday, or of the new moon, or of the Sabbath days: Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ. 

Are you obedient to the Holy Spirit as your teacher of what is pleasing, holy and acceptable to the Lord? Or are you still limited to the elementary teachings of Moses' law? Clearly, some are consigned to faith in Moses' law and some have been born of the Holy Spirit after accepting Messiah's mercy and grace, and are now following the Law of Spirit, Law of Faith and Law of Liberty. 

The one consigned to Moses' law may not eat bacon for breakfast but then has no problem indulging in junk foods, since the law of Moses does not address modern day junk food. The one led by the Holy Spirit may eat a piece of bacon for breakfast but then is convicted when he indulges in too much junk food. So, being convicted by the Holy Spirit, he does not indulge in junk food even though the Bible does not address junk food. He is led by the law of faith and law of the Spirit, and not the law of Moses, to take care of his body, the temple of the Lord. 

None of us are to be lawless! In Jesus/Yahshua, the believers of weak faith are to be accepted and respected by the mature believer led by law of faith. Likewise, those of weak faith are not to reject those led by the law of faith, law of the Spirit and law of liberty. They are both acceptable to the Lord...

Romans 14:20-22,   Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food. All food is clean, but it is wrong for a person to eat anything that causes someone else to stumble.   It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or to do anything else that will cause your brother or sister to fall. So whatever you believe about these things keep between yourself and God. Blessed is the one who does not condemn himself by what he approves. 


Romans 14:1-6, Him that is weak in the faith you should receive, but not to doubtful disputations. For one believeth that he may eat all things: another, who is weak, eats herbs. Let not him that eats despise him that eats not; and let not him which eats not judge him that eats: for God hath received him. Who art thou that judges another man's servant? to his own master he stands or falls. Yes, he shall be held up: for God is able to make him stand.   One man esteems one day above another: another esteems every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind. He that regards the day, regards it unto the Lord; and he that regards not the day, to the Lord he does not regard it. He that eats, eats to the Lord, for he gives God thanks; and he that eats not, to the Lord he eats not, and gives God thanks. 

Note: Those who boast in the law and reject that righteousness and salvation only come through Jesus/Yahshua as Lord are to be rejected. Likewise, those who claim to accept Jesus/Yahshua as Lord and Savior are to be rejected if they themselves live lawless.


1 Corinthians 5:11-13, But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolator, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat. For what have I to do to judge them also that are WITHOUT/OUTSIDE? do not ye judge them that are WITHIN/INSIDE? But them that are without God judges. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person.