|
William
wrote:
I
still wonder about the law of eating swine. I have had a strong
conviction about it... no where does it say that I can find does
it say its ok now to eat it. The Bible [Old Testament] says don't
eat it... don't even touch it.... but later [New Testament] you
can read all things that go into your mouth are okay... or when
you become A CHRISTIAN, NOTHING YOU EAT IS WRONG TO EAT. I'd like
to know more about it
Our Answer:
Hi William:
Thank you for your question. I'm happy to help with
this.
In the Old Testament there are three types of law:
The ceremonial or temple law. These laws
governed sacrifices and things related to the temple. When Jesus
died on the cross the veil in the temple was torn in two, showing
us that the temple law was no longer in effect and we now had direct
access to God. In the case of the ceremonial law, everything changed
at the cross and the cerimonial law is no longer needed.
The moral law. The best known of these laws
are the Ten Commandments. In the New Testament Jesus reiterates
and expands on the moral law, with the exception of keeping the
Sabbath. The moral law describes the character of God, and thus
although we are not required to obey it for our salvation, out of
love for God and our desire to become more like him we desire to
obey His moral Law.
"If you love Me, keep My commandments."
(Logos 21) - John 14:15
"Whoever has My commands and
obeys them, he is the one who loves me."
- (NIV) John 14:21
The civil law. Civil laws are the laws put
into place by governments. Israel did not have a civil government
at the time, so God provided the civil law. As with civil law today,
these laws were to protect people from harm. The law about not eating
pork was a civil law. The law about pork was a health related law
protecting people from, at that time, the health hazard of eating
pork.
The New Testament tells us we are to obey the civil
laws (Romans 13). These are the laws put into place by our government.
So, for example, eating pork is okay (it is not a health hazard
today), but exceeding the speed limit on the highway is not okay.
So instead of looking at the civil laws of the past
and trying to obey them, we should be looking at our current civil
laws and obeying them--as long as they do not conflict with God's
moral law. The message of the Bible is that pork is okay to eat.
But our civil laws tell us to not speed on the highway; don't run
red lights; register your car with the DMV and keep it insured.
To obey these laws is to be obeying God. If you violate these laws,
you are violating God's law and thus sinning against God.
I hope this has helped.
Yours in the Love of Christ,
Steve
Move To Assurance
|
