“Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.” – Acts 10:15
The Cleansing of Food
In our walk of faith, we come across God’s revelations, one of which is the aspect of dietary laws. In the New Testament, the vision given to Peter illustrates that God has made all things clean. We see that certain restrictions that were once part of the law have been lifted, allowing us the freedom to partake in foods that were seen as unclean. This change highlights God’s desire for unity and inclusivity, reminding us that what matters is not the food itself, but the heart of a believer. This teaches us that our relationship with God transcends dietary customs.
Mark 7:18-19
“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.” – Mark 7:18-19
Romans 14:14
“I am convinced, being fully persuaded in the Lord Jesus, that nothing is unclean in itself. But if anyone regards something as unclean, then for that person it is unclean.” – Romans 14:14
1 Timothy 4:3-4
“They forbid people to marry and order them to abstain from certain foods, which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and who know the truth. For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving.” – 1 Timothy 4:3-4
Colossians 2:16
“Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day.” – Colossians 2:16
1 Corinthians 8:8
“But food does not bring us closer to God; we are no worse if we do not eat, and no better if we do.” – 1 Corinthians 8:8
Unity in Christ
As we reflect on the freedom we have in Christ, it is essential to remember that our focus should be on unity rather than division. The dietary laws were initially set to distinguish God’s people, but in the New Testament, we are taught that the unity we find in Christ is far more important than our differences. This encourages us to look beyond what divides us and to embrace one another in love, sharing a table regardless of what is served. This unity empowers us to come together as one family of believers.
Galatians 3:28
“There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” – Galatians 3:28
Romans 15:7
“Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.” – Romans 15:7
Ephesians 4:3
“Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.” – Ephesians 4:3
Philippians 2:2
“Then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind.” – Philippians 2:2
1 Corinthians 12:12
“Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ.” – 1 Corinthians 12:12
The Symbolism of the Old Covenant
Though the dietary laws set in the Old Testament have shifted, they symbolize something grander about our faith. Many of these laws were meant to teach the people of Israel to be set apart for God. In the New Testament, we learn that these laws point toward deeper truths about holiness and the condition of our hearts. As we are called to be holy, we realize that our focus should be on living a life that reflects Christ, using the lessons from the past to guide us into a more profound relationship with Him. We find ourselves set apart not by what we eat, but by how we love and serve others.
Hebrews 10:1
“The law is only a shadow of the good things that are coming—not the realities themselves.” – Hebrews 10:1
Romans 7:6
“But now, by dying to what once bound us, we have been released from the law so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit, and not in the old way of the written code.” – Romans 7:6
Colossians 2:17
“These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ.” – Colossians 2:17
Galatians 4:9
“But now that you know God—or rather are known by God—how is it that you are turning back to those weak and miserable forces? Do you wish to be enslaved by them all over again?” – Galatians 4:9
Ephesians 2:15
“By setting aside in his flesh the law with its commands and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new humanity out of the two, thus making peace.” – Ephesians 2:15
Spiritual Growth
As we explore what the New Testament teaches about dietary restrictions, we also look at our spiritual growth. The fulfillment of the law in Jesus invites us to seek a deeper relationship with God, which is not based on rules but rather our heart’s posture. We are called to nourish our spirits and to grow in faith, focusing on things that uplift and please God rather than getting bogged down by what is permissible or not. This journey encourages us to feed on the Word, seek God’s understanding, and allow His spirit to guide our daily lives.
2 Peter 3:18
“But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen.” – 2 Peter 3:18
James 1:22
“Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.” – James 1:22
Hebrews 5:14
“But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.” – Hebrews 5:14
1 Peter 2:2
“Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation.” – 1 Peter 2:2
Colossians 3:2
“Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.” – Colossians 3:2
Faith and Freedom
As we come to terms with our faith, we recognize how it brings freedom. The New Testament teaches us that our salvation is through faith in Jesus Christ and not through adherence to the law. This understanding allows us to experience profound joy and liberty in our daily lives, free from the burden of trying to earn our way to God. Our faith empowers us to live authentically, making decisions that reflect Christ’s love. We are called to celebrate this freedom together, acknowledging that it is faith that unites us.
John 8:36
“So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” – John 8:36
Galatians 5:1
“It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.” – Galatians 5:1
Hebrews 11:1
“Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.” – Hebrews 11:1
Romans 3:20-22
“Therefore no one will be declared righteous in God’s sight by the works of the law; rather, through the law, we become conscious of our sin. But now apart from the law, the righteousness of God has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify.” – Romans 3:20-22
Titus 3:5
“He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit.” – Titus 3:5
The Call to Love
Ultimately, our understanding of the dietary laws and our liberty in Christ should lead us to a place of love. We are called to love one another, regardless of our differences in dietary choices. The focus remains on honoring one another and building each other up. Love becomes the guiding principle in our lives, leading us to make choices that reflect Christ’s own love. This call to love encourages us to remain open-hearted and forgiving, supporting each other as we grow together in faith and community.
John 13:34-35
“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples if you love one another.” – John 13:34-35
1 John 4:7
“Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.” – 1 John 4:7
Romans 13:10
“Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.” – Romans 13:10
1 Peter 4:8
“Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.” – 1 Peter 4:8
Ephesians 5:2
“And walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” – Ephesians 5:2
Final Thoughts
As we reflect on these scriptures about the dietary laws, specifically regarding pork, we see how they relate to our faith in Jesus. The New Testament emphasizes our freedom in Christ, encouraging us to focus on love and unity rather than the rules of the past. We understand that while certain practices were once upheld, our walk with God is defined by our faith and relationship with Him, not by what we consume.
In exploring these passages, we are inspired to cultivate our faith and grow together as a community. The essence of our faith invites us to love one another, to help us walk in grace, and to appreciate the freedom given to us by Jesus. As we nourish our spirits through His word, we learn to honor and support one another in our differences, creating an inclusive environment free from judgment.
Let us continue to explore the various aspects of our faith, including topics like gathering to eat and more in the Bible, as we strive to grow in unity and love.