Meats and Drink? What Should A Christian Eat or Drink?
The
New Testament makes no rigid rule concerning what the Christian shall eat or
drink—with the exception of strong drink, as we saw in the last post. We are
instructed not to judge one another in this matter (See Romans 14:2, 3, 17; 1
Corinthians 8:8; and 1 Timothy 4:1-5).
After
God, through Moses, gave the law to Israel, clean and unclean meats were
defined as a part of the ceremonial law, known as Kosher Laws (See Leviticus,
chapter 11). Commentators in general treat this requirement figuratively,
particularly pertaining to separation and holiness. It was part of their
schoolmaster training to bring them unto Christ for justification by faith
(Gal. 3:19-29). Christ has completely fulfilled that law. Those who rejected
Him continued practicing the ceremonial law. Even some who became believers had
scruples concerning meats. Paul wrote of them as being “weak in the faith”
(Rom. 14:1, 2, 21; 15:1). Having been so long under the law, it was difficult
for them to grasp the marvelous truth of the grace of God in Christ. Paul dealt
with them gently, instructing the “strong” to bear the infirmities of the weak
rather than please themselves.
As
for Gentile believers, the only restriction was to “abstain from meats offered
to idols, and from blood...” (Acts 15:29). Since this is New Testament
doctrine, it is still effective today.
“For
the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy
in the Holy Ghost” (Rom.14:17)
I
Timothy 4:1-5
1. Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that
in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing
spirits, and doctrines of devils;
2. Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their
conscience seared with a hot iron;
3. Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God
hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know
the truth.
4. For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received
with thanksgiving:
5. For it is sanctified by the word
of God and prayer.
I.
LAW AND LIBERTY (1 Tim. 4:1-5)
A.
False Teaching Predicted: The overall context of Paul’s words to Timothy
pertains to false teaching in the light of New Testament doctrine. Abstinence
from meats is a false teaching under grace. There are those, even in our day,
who teach as Paul said they would. Usually they forbid not all meats, but
certain kinds (principally pork, shellfish e.g. shrimp, lobster); but some are
strictly vegetarians. This is their privilege if they do not make it Bible
doctrine (or think they get extra credit by observing it).
Paul
says the Holy Ghost had spoken against the practices he enumerates, which
amounts to a departure from the faith by obeying the seducing spirits and
believing doctrines of devils. Those “spirits” will speak lies as though they
are the truth- “in hypocrisy, “ their conscience having become so seared
(feelingless) that they can lie with impunity. They will presume to have
authority, as the words “forbidding” and “commanding” indicate.
B.
Imposing Law on Grace: It must be understood that those who impose these
“laws,” and those who deliberately depart from the faith and believe the
hypocritical lies, are not the same as “the weak” who have not matured in the
faith to where they can understand and enjoy the liberty of grace. The
“seducing spirits” actually deny the grace of God by contending for the
continuance of the requirements of the law.
When
Paul comes to “commanding to abstain from meats,” he elaborates somewhat. He
says that “every creature” is good for food, and God created them to be
received thankfully by all who believe and know the truth according to grace.
None are to be refused if so received, for all are “clean” by being “sanctified
by the word of God and prayer.” The one exception is abstention from meats
offered to idols; actually from eating with the knowledge that they are being
offered as a sacrifice to idol gods.
C.
Eating With and Without Knowledge: The exposition in 1 Corinthians 8 seems to
indicate that nothing is wrong with the meat itself, which, apart from the
idolatrous ceremony, might be eaten. However, it would be wrong to partake of
it on the ground that a “weak brother” might eat of it through lack of
knowledge, and bring condemnation on himself to his destruction.
For
instance, one may eat with the understanding that “an idol is nothing in the
world” (1 Cor. 8:4); a weak brother may not have this knowledge that an idol is
“nothing” but a fantasy of the imagination. Because he sees his
fellow-Christian eating this meat, he may be “emboldened to eat those things”
as being offered to an idol, or a god that exists. Even though he has a measure
of doubt, he may eat simply because his “strong” brother eats. Paul says, “And
he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for
whatsoever is not of faith is sin” (Rom. 14:23).
Roman
14:1-3
1. Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, but not to doubtful disputations.
2. For one believeth that he may eat all things: another, who
is weak, eateth herbs.
3. Let not him that eateth despise him that eateth not; and
let not him which eateth not judge him that eateth: for God hath received him.
1Corinthians 8:8-9
8. But meat commendeth us not to God: for
neither, if we eat, are we the better; neither, if we eat not, are we the
worse.
9. But take heed lest by any means this
liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to them that are weak.
II.
JUST AND UNJUST JUDGMENT (Rom. 14:1-3; 1 Cor. 8:8,9)
A.
Just Judgment: “Judgment” in this respect has more to do with the
responsibility of the individual Christian to exercise sound judgment between
right and wrong; between truth and error. In this sense, it is more related to
discernment, or to understanding what obscure Scripture passages mean when
rightly divided. It is evident that such discernment would be helpful with
relation to meats and drinks. However, the Church also must exercise just and
sound judgment in its stand for truth. Sometimes the best judgment is a minimum
of judgment. Paul seems to advise this in Romans 14. But it is of the greatest
importance that all judgment be in line with and subject to the unchanging and
infallible Word of God.
B.
Unjust Judgment: This is imposing personal judgment where Scripture has not
spoken, or where such judgment is forbidden. Romans 14:13 is an example: “Let
us not therefore judge one another anymore: but judge this rather, that no man
put a stumbling block or an occasion to fall in his brother’s way.” Colossians
2:16, 17 speaks to the matter under discussion here: “Let no man therefore
judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect to an holyday, or of the new
moon, or of the sabbath days: Which are a shadow of things to come; but the
body [true substance] is of Christ.” We are not to let philosophers and
deceivers (v. 8) impose unscriptural judgments against us, nor to submit to
such unjust judgments. Since meat does not commend us to God, or said another
way does not make us acceptable unto Him, eating does not make us any better,
and abstaining does not make us any worse- then, unjust judgments are due no
attention.
C.
Abuse of Liberty: Christian liberty or freedom can be misunderstood or
misinterpreted and therefore, abused. True “Christian liberty” or “freedom” is
not liberty to do as one pleases, but freedom to obey God’s Word. Sin is
bondage; the bondman obeys his master-Satan. But there is victory in Jesus, who
said, “If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed” (John
8:36). Paul says, “Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of
righteousness.. .For when ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness”
(Rom. 6:18, 20).
The
believer who begins to clamor for “freedom of conscience” possibly already has
a conscience that has “run wild” and has become “seared with a hot iron.” He
insists on being trusted, but proves himself untrustworthy. Then he resents
just judgment! Paul told the Galatians, who were about to become “entangled
again with the yoke of bondage,” and some of whom were ‘fallen from grace”
(Gal. 5:1, 4), “...Ye have been called unto liberty; only use not that liberty
for an occasion to the flesh [an excuse to fulfill fleshly lusts]...” (Gal.
5:13).
It
is possible to take unwarranted liberties in judging one another. If one is
doing wrong and another calls attention to the fact, it is not judging, for the
Word of God has already judged him, or condemned him. (See John 3:18-21.) It is
rather a loving effort to “restore” one who has been “overtaken in a fault”
(Gal. 6:1). However, if one judges another only on the basis of personal
opinion or convictions, he is judging unjustly and abusing his liberty.
Summarily, all concerned are admonished not to be offensive in passing judgment
where the Bible has already spoken. “For meat destroy not the work of God [the
character of a brother]. All things indeed are pure; but it is evil for that man
who eateth with offence” (Rom. 14:20).
III.
DRINKS
A.
Strong Drinks Forbidden: This was dealt with in a prior post. (Review if
necessary.) The Biblical stand of holiness is unequivocally against all liquor
or strong drink.
B.
Harmless Drinks: Little is said in Scripture about this type of drink;
therefore, this seems to be an area where personal conscience is legitimate.
Some individuals feel that certain beverages should be avoided, such as coffee,
tea, and soft drinks. As with meats, personal judgment of others is
discouraged. It is reasonable, of course, to avoid any drink that the body
seems to reject. This varies with individuals. For instance, the caffeine in
coffee and tea may cause sleeplessness for some; or it may appear to be
habit-forming to the point where there is irritability without it. If a drink
seems to be injurious to the body-the temple of God-it would be wisdom to
dispense with it, or at least to use the necessary moderation in its use.
If you have never accepted or if you have fallen away from Jesus Christ here are three steps you need to take to be saved:
You must admit you are a sinner, confess your sin to Jesus, repent (turn from all you know is wrong), ask Jesus to come in your heart, and begin to follow Jesus by reading and obeying his word and go to a bible believing church that teaches his word. And tell someone what Christ Jesus Has Done For You (Rev 12:10)
May God through Christ bless you!
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