Most New Testament teachers say that it is definitely not biblical to follow God’s law concerning food!
In this weeks blog we will explain why they say that about God’s law, and give our explanation from our experience, from science and from God’s word.
The apostle Paul makes this statement about God’s law…
“You who are trying to be justified by the law have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace.” Galatians 5:4
O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? It was before your eyes that Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified. 2 Let me ask you only this: Did you receive the Spirit by works of the law or by hearing with faith? Galatians 3:1-2
Because of these passages, many bible scholars, believe that following old testament rules and regulations displeases God. Some have even told us that it puts us under a curse. Consequently, most preachers not only ignore the valuable information about healthy living found in God’s law, but teach people that it is something they must not do.
Deuteronomy 7:11-5 states that if we are careful to follow God’s law, he will keep us free from every disease. In Exodus 23:20-26 God says that if we are careful to do all that he says, he will take away sickness from us and give us a full lifespan. 1 Timothy 3:16 says that all scripture is God breathed and useful. This certainly includes God’s law as found in the Old Testament, since that was all the scripture they had when this was written.
So what is the truth, should we be careful to follow Gods law or not? Will it bring health or a curse?
We believe the proof is in the pudding, the answer is found in the results. Does following God’s commands bring a curse or blessing on those who do it? We see people every day who follow God’s law, are healthier than people who ignore them. There is a lot of science to back up what God has said about food choice. We believe that the reason so many very good, honest, God loving pastors die young, is because they ignore these conditions and promises from God’s word. Here are some notable examples; we could produce thousands.
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Evangelist John G Lake,
Lake preached to hundreds of thousands of people in Africa and America. He died at the young age of 65. Lake was not overweight, he was fit as a man can be. He had a very powerful healing ministry and started the now famous healing rooms that are all over the world. His wife died about twenty years before he did of malnutrition. Lake died of a stroke ten years short of the average American lifespan of 75.
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Aimee Semple McPhearson
Mcphearson started the Four Square denomination. She was one of our nations greatest evangelists and was a successful faith healer. Mcphearson looked as healthy as could be, she was not overweight, she led an active lifestyle, but sadly she died at the age of 54. She had been very sick, the day she died she had called her doctor numerous times to see if he could help her, he was in surgery and never got her call . God said we are to live to 120 and our strength should equal our days. If Aimee had lived an average american lifespan, she would have had 21 more years of ministry.
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William Joseph Seymour
Seymour was an American minister, and an initiator of the Azusa Street Revival. Seymour was one of the most influential individuals in the revival that grew into the Pentecostal movement. That movement has now spread across the world. The largest denomination in the world is Pentecostalism. The largest most influential churches in the world are Pentecostal. It all started in Seymour’s church. the Azusa street church walls were covered with canes and crutches left there by people who had been healed. At 52 Seymour had two massive heart attacks and died. He was a very healthy looking young man who loved God and loved people.
What went wrong?
So many great movements of God were hindered by the early death of their leaders. Leaders who believed God would heal them and keep them free from disease, but did not do what God said must be done to stay healthy and live a full lifespan. Other great leaders did listen to God’s advice, consequently they where going strong long into their nineties. Following God’s law includes his dietary laws. Following God’s laws will keep Christians active in their gifts many years past the average american lifespan.
So what did Paul mean when he said, “You who are trying to be justified by law have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace.” Galatians 5:4
Paul is saying that if anyone thinks obedience to God’s Law needs to be added to his or her faith in Christ, so they can be justified or saved, he is alienating himself from Christ. In Galatians 3:1-5 Paul further states that such a person is bewitched. Obedience to the Law cannot add anything to what Jesus did on the cross for us.
Christ plus nothing = salvation.
I know of one congregation in Portland Oregon that split over just this issue. Half of their congregation actually started to do animal sacrifices for the forgiveness of sin. From a Christian perspective, that is nuts, Christ died once for all and there is no need for sacrifices any more. Obedience to the law cannot save us from eternal punishment. Jesus also confronted the Pharisees on this point.
“You diligently study the Scriptures (Old testament law and prophets) because you think that by them you possess eternal life. These are the Scriptures that testify about me, yet you refuse to come to me to have life.” John 5:39,40
Jesus was teaching that God’s law never could save anyone and that he (Jesus) was the source of salvation. So; since salvation is only found in Jesus Christ, and by his grace, does that mean that God wants us to stop observing God’s law. Does that mean we are to stop following its advice? (See Proverbs Chapter 1:29-33) Since God cannot love you and me anymore than He already does, since obeying the law won’t make him love you more, why should you obey the Law?
Because there are other reasons to follow the law apart from salvation.
First; what God likes and does not like has never changed. God’s law states that we should not bear false witness, that we shouldn’t tell lies. Everyone knows that if you continue to tell lies, people will not like you or believe you even if you tell the truth. No one would say that if you follow that law you would be under a curse; no, it is just the opposite.
Secondly there are unwanted consequences to disobeying God’s law apart from Hell. The law is for physical health, that is what the word states. It never says obedience to the law will save us from hell, it says that it will save us from disease and a shortened life.
A third point to make, is that the followers of Christ did not stop obeying and teaching the law after Jesus was crucified. In Acts chapter 22:12-16 Paul is describing the Christian who guided him and healed his eyes.
A devout observer of God’s law!
“A man named Ananias came to see me. He was a devout observer of the law and highly respected by all the Jews living there. He stood beside me and said, ‘Brother Saul, receive your sight!’ And at that very moment I was able to see him.” Acts 22:12-16
God obviously used Ananias in a powerful way and the scriptures commend his way of life by describing him as a “devout observer of the law.”
It is interesting how we are all disgusted with famous preachers who are not devout observers of the Law.
Men and Women who are drunkards, steal money, lie, or commit sexual sins. We reject them as poor representatives of God. God and the world are still looking for men and women that are living devout holy lives. The world is also looking for men and women to follow, men and women who are not constantly struggling with disease or struggling financially. The Old Testament has wise words to help us avoid, these problems.
Shary and I have some Christian friends that we have known for over 30 years. They love God and love people; are a tremendous blessing to us in many ways. They are givers, that is, they freely give to missions and to people in need…BUT… they have a strong belief that it is a sin to obey God’s Law, (found in the Old Testament), even though they are great givers they believe that if you follow the Old Testament advice, you are putting yourself under God’s Law and that is wrong. Let me give you an example of how that’s working in their lives. Malachi 3:8-10 states…
Will a man rob God?
“Will a man rob God? Yet you rob me. But you ask” ‘How do we rob you?’ “In tithes and offerings. You are under a curse—the whole nation of you—because you are robbing me. Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this.” Says the Lord Almighty. “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it.”
These friends of ours are convinced that tithing is wrong, simply because it is found in the Old Testament. They believe that they would be putting themselves under a curse if they follow this Old Testament teaching. Here are the results of their belief system. In the 30 years we have known each other, this couple has lost more money than most people will ever see in a lifetime. They have lost two inheritances; each one was hundreds of thousands of dollars. They have had numerous huge business ventures fail and they have taken out bankruptcy at least once that we know of.
What they are experiencing looks a lot like the curse that Malachi said would happen if you don’t tithe.
A retired pastor
I have another friend who is a retired pastor, he has stated that he believes Old Testament tithing is wrong . He struggled financially his entire life, which isn’t all that uncommon for pastors. When he retired he received a large inheritance, which he believed would take care of him and his wife, very well, the rest of their lives. It was all lost in a couple of years through unfortunate circumstances beyond his control. Again, what he experienced was exactly what Malachi chapter 3 says will happen to people who rob God by not tithing.
My point in relaying these stories is that if you obey God’s law, you will get what God says you will get…a blessing, not a curse. Again, I want to emphasize that observing God’s Law won’t get you to heaven.
So if God’s law won’t get you to heaven what good is it?
Proverbs 4:20-22 states…”My son, pay attention to what I say; listen closely to my words. Do not let them out of your sight, keep them within your heart; for they are life to those who find them and health to a man’s whole body.”
The apostle Paul states in 1 Timothy 1:8…”We know that the law is good if one uses it properly.”
God’s Law is good for exactly what he says it is good for, in both the New Testament and the Old. It is good for producing life and health!
So history, personal experience and science all point to the fact that listening to God and following his advice about food choices will bring life and health to any man or woman’s whole body.
THE ONLY WAY TO EXCEPTIONAL EMOTIONAL, SPIRITUAL AND PHYSICAL HEALTH, IS TO SPEND TIME EACH DAY LISTENING TO JESUS CHRIST AND DOING WHAT HE SAYS.
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