Bible Question:
My mother in law has been studying the bible religiously and she knows more than my wife and I as we barely study to be honest and need to get more into our bible study. She just recently told us over this weekend that she will not be eating anymore meat. We got into discussions about this and she said that all meat is Unclean and that she would not eat it any longer. However, she will still eat Eggs. I am really confused at this point and need to read and study for myself, but I wanted to find a forum to ask this question. What meats are considered Unclean and Clean, what what can we eat and should not eat according to GOD's word? She told us that fish is also unclean, but I read a passage that said, anything with a tail and scales is considered clean. My wife and I want to follow the laws of GOD, but we are confused. Can anyone that has come down this road help us out? What are your beliefs about Unclean and Clean meats? I have all the scriptures, but really need guidance. I will ultimately make the decision for my family but need some help understanding this all. Didn't Jesus eat 5 loaves and 2 fish? So how could it be unclean? |
Bible Answer: Dear LRP 2008, I came Johnny come lately to this question here, but let me help you out a little bit more here; Romans 14:1 - 11,13 - 23 Now accept the one who is weak in faith, but not for the purposes of passing judgment on his opinions. One person has faith that he may eat all things, but he who is weak eats vegetables only. The one who eats is not to regard with contempt the one who does not eat,and the one who does not eat, is not to judge the one who eats, for God accepted him. Who are you to judge the servant of another? To his own master he stands or falls; and he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand. One person regards one day above another, another regardds every day alike. Each person must be fully convinced in his own mind. He who observes the day, observes it for the Lord, and he who eats, does to for the Lord, for he gives thanks to God. For not one of us lives for himself, and not one dies for himself; for if we live, we live for the Lord, or if we die, we die for the Lord; therefore whether we live or die, we are the Lord's. For to this end Christ die and lived again, that He might be Lord both of the dead and the living. But why do you judge your brother? Or you again, why do you regard your brother with contempt? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God. Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather determine this - not to put an obstacle or a stumbling block in a brother's way. I know and am convinced in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in itself; but to him who thinks anything to be unclean, to him it is unclean. For if because of food your brother is hurt, you are no longer walking according to love. Do not destroy with your food him for whom Christ died. Therefore do not let what is for you a good thing be spoken of as evil; for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. for he who in this way serves Christ is acceptable to God and approved by men. So then we pursue the things which make for peace and the building up of one another. Do not tear down the work of God for the sake of food. All things indeed are clean, but they are evil for the man who eats and gives offense. It is good not to eat meat or to drink wine, or to do anythign by which your brother stumbles. The faith which you have, have as your own conviction before God. Happy is he who does not condemn himself in what he approves. But he who doubts is condemned if he eats, because his eating is not from faith; and whatever is not from faith is from sin. I think this clears it up; Paul says all things indeed are clean, but don't make someone else stumble in their weak faith if they see meant as unclean and eat only vegetables, have your faith to your self as long as your meat eating does not offend your brother you do well, but if your meat eating offends them, don't make them stumble, you stop being stronger in faith than your brother. So then if your mother-in-law won't be eating meat anymore her faith is unto God and she shall stand, and as long as she is not offended that you keep eating meat you stand strong in your stronger faith than hers and you keep eating meat and you shall stand to God in your faith because the kingdom is not eating and drinking but righteousness and peace. God Bless God's day to you, Tamara |