We Live By Faith and Not by Law

In a world where differences seem to divide us more than ever, it's crucial to remember the essence of compassion and understanding, especially regarding matters of faith and personal choices. As Christians, we're blessed to have moved beyond the constraints of the Mosaic Laws, those guidelines once necessary for spiritual growth and connection with God.

Mosaic Laws Versus Jesus' Truth and Grace
The Mosaic Laws were intricate, filled with ceremonies, rituals, and symbols intended to guide people in their faith journey. They served as a bridge leading humanity toward Christ, reminding them of their duties and responsibilities. Yet, as God observed our struggle to uphold these laws, He sent His Son, Jesus, to fulfill them completely.

Jesus didn't come to abolish the Law of Moses but to bring it to its consummation. His sacrifice on the cross marked the fulfillment of those laws, liberating us from their mandates. Through His grace, we are no longer bound by legalistic observances but are saved from sin and embraced by His love. As Jesus Himself said in John 13:34-35 (ESV):

34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. 35 By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another."

However, the transition from the law to grace wasn't easy for everyone, especially for Jewish Christians, who found it challenging to let go of familiar rituals. Yet, the essence of grace and truth brought by Jesus surpasses the confines of any law as John 1:17 (NIV) reminds us:

17 For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.

What Defiles a Person?
While we should never knowingly serve pork to someone who regards it as "unclean," and we may choose not to eat pork in their presence, we, however, reject the idea of condemning others who consume it as part of their regular diet. Judging others in this matter comes from the mistaken belief that today, pork is forbidden, unclean, going against God's wishes, and eating it defiles the body and the Holy Spirit living in it. We can point to several points in Scripture that weigh in on this matter, for example, Mark 7:14-23 (ESV), which reads:

14 And he called the people to him again and said to them, "Hear me, all of you, and understand: 15 There is nothing outside a person that by going into him can defile him, but the things that come out of a person are what defile him." 17 And when he had entered the house and left the people, his disciples asked him about the parable. 18 And he said to them, "Then are you also without understanding? Do you not see that whatever goes into a person from outside cannot defile him, 19 since it enters not his heart but his stomach, and is expelled?" (Thus he declared all foods clean.) 20 And he said, "What comes out of a person is what defiles him. 21 For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, 22 coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, foolishness. 23 All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person."

​In Acts 10:10-15 (NLT), we read how God sent meat for Peter to eat, and when Peter would not eat the meat, claiming it was unclean, God made it clear that anything He made clean is clean.

10 and he was hungry. But while a meal was being prepared, he fell into a trance. 11 He saw the sky open, and something like a large sheet was let down by its four corners. 12 In the sheet were all sorts of animals, reptiles, and birds. 13 Then a voice said to him, "Get up, Peter; kill and eat them."
14 "No, Lord," Peter declared. "I have never eaten anything that our Jewish laws have declared impure and unclean."
15 But the voice spoke again: "Do not call something unclean if God has made it clean."

​No Judgment
When faced with criticism or judgment for choices that may differ from others' interpretations, it's essential to recall the wisdom of Scripture. Romans 14:1-4 and Romans 14:14-15 teach us about respecting individual convictions, emphasizing that what may be permissible for one could cause distress to another.

Romans 14:1-4 (NLT)
1 Accept other believers who are weak in faith, and don't argue with them about what they think is right or wrong. 2 For instance, one person believes it's all right to eat anything. But another believer with a sensitive conscience will eat only vegetables. 3 Those who feel free to eat anything must not look down on those who don't. And those who don't eat certain foods must not condemn those who do, for God has accepted them. 4 Who are you to condemn someone else's servants? Their own master will judge whether they stand or fall. And with the Lord's help, they will stand and receive his approval.
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Romans 14:14-15 (NIV)
14 I know and am convinced on the authority of the Lord Jesus that no food, in and of itself, is wrong to eat. But if someone believes it is wrong, then for that person it is wrong. 15 And if another believer is distressed by what you eat, you are not acting in love if you eat it. Don't let your eating ruin someone for whom Christ died.

​Similarly, 1 Corinthians 10:25-27 and 1 Timothy 4:4-5 reassure us that everything created by God is good and acceptable, urging us to receive all with gratitude and without causing unnecessary offense.

1 Corinthians 10:25-27 (CJB)
25 Eat whatever is sold in the meat market without raising questions of conscience, 26 for the earth and everything in it belong to the Lord. 27 If some unbeliever invites you to a meal, and you want to go, eat whatever is put in front of you without raising questions of conscience.

1 Timothy 4:4-5 (ESV)
4 For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, 5 for it is made holy by the word of God and prayer.

​We, as humans, are also God's creatures. In Acts 10:28-29 (NLT), we read that we should not judge people as unclean.

28 Peter told them, "You know it is against our laws for a Jewish man to enter a Gentile home like this or to associate with you. But God has shown me that I should no longer think of anyone as impure or unclean. 29 So I came without objection as soon as I was sent for. Now tell me why you sent for me.

Released From the Laws
I believe the Mosaic laws were in place to help guide people toward a reliable, sustainable lifestyle, one that pleased God. But, when God saw that man could not follow these laws, He sent His Son, Jesus, to fulfill these laws once and for all. It was at the moment of sacrifice in death that our lives were released from the confines of the Mosaic laws. With Jesus' death and resurrection, we were then released under the love of Jesus' grace and guidance.
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The laws became a burden, and in time, the laws were drilled down to just a few things, as pointed out in Acts 15:29 (NLT): 

29 You must abstain from eating food offered to idols, from consuming blood or the meat of strangled animals, and from sexual immorality. If you do this, you will do well. Farewell.

​I believe it is essential to read Acts 15:13-31 to gain a deeper understanding of the laws, why they were instilled in the first place, and why they were reduced to just following a few basic laws that would not hinder believers but would allow them to live a life with a deeper connection to God.

Acts 15:13-31 (NLT)
13 When they had finished, James stood and said, "Brothers, listen to me. 14 Peter has told you about the time God first visited the Gentiles to take from them a people for himself. 15 And this conversion of Gentiles is exactly what the prophets predicted. As it is written:
16 Afterward I will return
    and restore the fallen house of David.
I will rebuild its ruins
    and restore it,
17 so that the rest of humanity might seek the Lord,
    including the Gentiles--
    all those I have called to be mine.
The Lord has spoken--
18 he who made these things known so long ago.'
19 "And so my judgment is that we should not make it difficult for the Gentiles who are turning to God. 20 Instead, we should write and tell them to abstain from eating food offered to idols, from sexual immorality, from eating the meat of strangled animals, and from consuming blood. 21 For these laws of Moses have been preached in Jewish synagogues in every city on every Sabbath for many generations."
22 Then the apostles and elders together with the whole church in Jerusalem chose delegates, and they sent them to Antioch of Syria with Paul and Barnabas to report on this decision. The men chosen were two of the church leaders—Judas (also called Barsabbas) and Silas. 23 This is the letter they took with them:
"This letter is from the apostles and elders, your brothers in Jerusalem. It is written to the Gentile believers in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia. Greetings!
24 "We understand that some men from here have troubled you and upset you with their teaching, but we did not send them! 25 So we decided, having come to complete agreement, to send you official representatives, along with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, 26 who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. 27 We are sending Judas and Silas to confirm what we have decided concerning your question.
28 "For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to lay no greater burden on you than these few requirements: 29 You must abstain from eating food offered to idols, from consuming blood or the meat of strangled animals, and from sexual immorality. If you do this, you will do well. Farewell."
30 The messengers went at once to Antioch, where they called a general meeting of the believers and delivered the letter. 31 And there was great joy throughout the church that day as they read this encouraging message.

​God Made All Things Good
I believe God made everything good, and I do not judge what people eat, what they wear, or how they act. I leave judgment up to God. Colossians 2:16-17 (NLT) says:

16 So don't let anyone condemn you for what you eat or drink, or for not celebrating certain holy days or new moon ceremonies or Sabbaths. 17 For these rules are only shadows of the reality yet to come. And Christ himself is that reality.

In a world where diversity is celebrated, let us extend the same grace and understanding to one another as Christ has shown us. Instead of chastising differences, let us embrace them with love and humility, remembering that our ultimate calling is to love one another as Christ loves us.

KEY:
CJB = Complete Jewish Bible
ESV = English Standard Version
NIV = New International Version
NLT = New Living Translation
Red text denotes direct quotes of Jesus speaking.