Bible Questions and Answers

In Christ we have been freed from all dietary constraints under the law. One might, due to Old Testament passages about blood and life, feel personally constrained to avoid food products containing blood but we are not constrained by divine ordinance to do so under Christ's regime. Or, one might be convinced that adherance to such laws, which the Jews call Kosher, is just a part of a healthier life-style. However, passages such as the following are conclusive to me that all dietary restrictions have been lifted in Christ:

1 Corinthians 8:7-13  Howbeit there is not in every man that knowledge: for some with conscience of the idol unto this hour eat it as a thing offered unto an idol; and their conscience being weak is defiled. 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. 10  For if any man see thee which hast knowledge sit at meat in the idol’s temple, shall not the conscience of him which is weak be emboldened to eat those things which are offered to idols; 11  And through thy knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died? 12  But when ye sin so against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, ye sin against Christ. 13  Wherefore, if meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while the world standeth, lest I make my brother to offend.

Romans 14:13-17 Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather resolve this, not to put a stumbling block or a cause to fall in our brother’s way. 14  I know and am convinced by the Lord Jesus that there is nothing unclean of itself; but to him who considers anything to be unclean, to him it is unclean. 15  Yet if your brother is grieved because of your food, you are no longer walking in love. Do not destroy with your food the one for whom Christ died. 16  Therefore do not let your good be spoken of as evil; 17  for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.

Mark 7:14-23 And he called the people to him again and said to them, “Hear me, all of you, and understand: here 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.”  And when he had entered the house and left the people, his disciples asked him about the parable. 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, since it enters not his heart but his stomach, and is expelled?” (Thus he declared all foods clean.) And he said, “What comes out of a person is what defiles him. For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, foolishness. All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person.”

I myself am partial to meat done "medium". Your take on this will depend on your own taste and conscience mediated by your interpretation of God's word. Howerver, I can find no reason for encouraging anyone to refrain from eating anything on the basis of conscience.

God bless,
Mike