How Should We Eat?
The New Testament is clear that Christ has fulfilled and abrogated the ceremonial laws, and that we need to guard our liberty in the gospel (1 Cor 10:29-30). The Belgic Confession says it well: "The ceremonies ... ceased at the coming of Christ ... and the shadows are accomplished, so that the use of them must be abolished among Christians" (Art. 25). Thus, as Paul said, "All things are lawful to me" (1 Cor 10:23). Yet, he quickly adds, that not all things are expedient and edifying. And the Belgic Confession says: "We still use the testimonies taken out of the law ... [among other things] to regulate our life in all honesty to the glory of God, according to His will" (Art. 25). There is no doubt that our Western marketing machine puts before our eyes and mouths, foods of which the origin, nature, and effect are hidden behind trendy names, exaggerated claims, and glossy games. Ignorance, here too, is not bliss. How then should we eat?
1. Moderately. Gluttony is nowhere sanctioned in Scripture. Of course, the Bible does speak of feasting. However, there is a way to feast without making a god out of one's belly (Phil. 3:19). Self-control is a Christian grace, which should come into evidence in matters of food and drink as well (Gal 5:23; 2 Pet 1:6).
2. Healthily. Paul cried out to the Philippian jailor: "Do thyself no harm" (Acts 16:28). Of course, the context of this text is one of attempted suicide. Nevertheless, the Bible would not approve of subjecting one's self knowingly and intentionally to harm, unless, of course, a greater good could be achieved. The body of a Christian is the temple of the Holy Ghost (1 Cor 6:19). On the other hand, it is possible to be so obsessed with health and food that other exhortations of Scripture against anxiety and misplaced focus (Matt 6:25-28), and the like go unheeded.
3. Thankfully. Paul answered the question "How should we eat" very succinctly and clearly. He writes in 1 Timothy 4:4-5: "For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving: For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer." Ecclesiastes counsels us to be joyful when we eat (Eccl 9:7). We need to see every provision as an undeserved gift from God, and be thankful. This may be the hardest of all, given our unthankful hearts by nature.
4. Hospitably. The Bible frequently displays the saints showing hospitality, and calls for God's people to do so as well (e.g., Heb 13:2). In our Western world, we have an ironic term, the "hospitality industry," which refers to services like restaurants and hotels. When did hospitality become the pride of Wall Street and Madison Ave.? Christians should have a generous and ready heart to break bread with others, especially strangers and those of the household of faith. All the food we enjoy, we have only because God has opened His creation table to us. Should then our tables remain shut?
What Do Our Souls Feed On?
Sadly, many of the diet fads, as well as much that goes for Christian health and diet today, puts the body over the soul. It is part of man's focus on this world and this earth. Many are no longer strangers in this world. Few can identify with Paul's longing to be clothed upon with our house that is from heaven (2 Cor 5:2). Many have their reward now. Many think more about how what goes into the body defiles the body (Matt 15:18-20). Do we think about what defiles the soul? How often do we think about how our soul defiles everything around us? Does the plague of our heart (1 Kings 8:38) keep us more busy than the threat of this or that disease? May God deliver us from a dietary Pharisaism, which cannot redeem our souls from going down to the pit. True, let us not neglect the body. But especially, let us frequently visit the marketplace of the soul. There we will learn about our spiritual toxins: "Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? and your labour for that which satisfieth not?" But the divine Host will also meet us and say: "Incline your ear, and come unto me: hear, and your soul shall live" (Isa 55:2-3).
Questions:
- Why is our Western world at the same time obese and obsessed with diets?
- Discuss each of the purposes of Israel's food laws. How can you read Leviticus 11 in a way that relates to us?
- So often we eat unthinkingly. What things can you do to eat moderately and healthily, without becoming improperly obsessed with food?
- Is hospitality lacking among us, and if so, where can we start to remedy that lack?
- How can you have a proper biblical perspective on the relationship between the needs of the body and soul?
- What does the soul need to live, and how can we obtain this?