Freedom In Christ (Mark 7)

 

She gave her Christian landlady a gift of fruit in all good faith.  The landlady hit back, "was this offered to idols first?"  The tenant is also a devout Christian.  She was offended by the landlady's caustic behavior. Why would she have given her such fruit!

In 1 Timothy 4:1-5 we see Paul mentions 

"abtinence from foods that God created to be recieved with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth"

comes from so called believers who 

"depart from the faith" (vs 1-3).

But in verses 4-5 we learn that

"everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, for it is made holy by the word of God and prayer."

We can rest assured that, no matter who gives us food or drink that God created, that we can pray with thanksgiving and eat and drink in all good conscience.  

What's more, when we read Mark 7:14-23 we see another aspect of this topic.  Jesus 

"declared all foods clean" (vs 19). 

 The things that actually defile the follower of Jesus Christ are what comes out of the heart, not the stomach. 

 "Evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, foolishness,"

 to name a few (vs 21-22).  

Mark goes on to write, 

"All these evil things come from within and they defile a person" (vs 23).

Sometimes, we believers in Jesus Christ can be so picky and petty about "is this ok, or that ok" in legalistic confines.  We need to read the whole scope and see from God's point of view.

Of course, someone will direct our attention to "not being a stumbling block" to others, especially to a new believer in Jesus Christ (see Romans 14:13-23).

We have freeedom in Christ to eat or not to eat.  But I feel that the newbie-in-Christ, as well as us old timers need to review and, again seek the Lord's view.

I've told this story before of the Hindu guru who came to Christ.  As most of us know, Hindu's don't eat beef as they believe cows to be sacred.  When this guru came to Christ he knew he had freedom to eat whatever, including beef.

However, he continued to abstain from eating beef in order to gain his family and friends to Christ.  He believed that if he went and ate beef - even if they didn't know - that they would not have even bothered to listen to the message of the gospel of Jesus Christ from him.

In another instance, an older lady who was not very educated academically, would not eat food she knew or suspected had been offered to idols.  When another of her relatives came to Christ but would eat anything his mother put on the table, it kind of confused the family.  But both had the freedom in Christ to eat or not to eat.  

If you look the Romans 14:22-23 verses, you'll see one would condemn themself, the other would not if they ate.  But this faith was between God and the individual.

Later the younger relative explained to the older relative so some understanding had been gained. Interestingly enough, the rest of the family who prepared the meals, would segregate the food accordingly.

As we seek the Lord about this situation, let's use grace when we see a brother or sister eat, or not eat, according to their conscience between them and God.

But let's also remember we do have freedom in Christ, to eat with thanksgiving.

Father God, thank You so much for the freedom we have in Christ.  You have set us free to live in liberty as it pleases You.  May your children always reject that which defiles from the heart and so abstain.  Help us see the whole picture and to be balanced in tour thinking and according to situations that require us to abstain or not too.  May Your will be done in our hearts and lives.  I ask in Jesus' name amen.

                                               ~ ERC  July 2025 ~

Based on Mark 7:14-23; 1 Timothy 4:1-5.

Sing, Trust in You, along with Lauren Daigle.