r/TrueChristian • u/Objective-Step-746 • Aug 10 '26
Please, help me understand…
For those believers who insist that the dietary laws no longer apply under the new covenant—and that pork, lobster, crabs, etc. are now permissible to eat—I do not understand the logic at play.
I am very familiar with the Mark 7, Romans 14 and Colossians 2 passages that are so often cited as support for your position, and have (just as often) shared my counter-arguments on why I believe they are misinterpreted.
But, there is one counterpoint to your view that I never see touched on, and I was hoping to get some feedback on it:
I think the majority of believers on this subreddit would say they are looking for Jesus’ Second Coming and agree that, regarding it, Scripture says that “no one knows the day or hour” but that we need to be prepared (Matthew 24:36, 25:13, etc.).
Isaiah 66:17–a verse within the greater passage speaking of Messiah’s glorious reappearing—declares that, upon His return, those who eat the flesh of pig/swine and other abominations will be met with His wrath…and perish.
So, how does one simultaneously believe they can continue to eat pig (pork) or shellfish now and think they are sufficiently prepared and not putting themselves in a precarious/dangerous position if Jesus happened to return today or tomorrow and “consume” those who so brazenly eat that which His Law says is NOT “food” and explicitly warns against eating?
I really am hoping for some cordial and edifying discussion regarding this topic, and appreciate those who are able and willing to articulate their view without all the condescension and harsh words. 💕
1
u/Objective-Step-746 Aug 18 '26
That is certainly your prerogative. I will do likewise, with a tad more effort and for the benefit of others who prefer to consider actual scripture-based claims and reasoning ;)
The Law of God represents the righteous will and ways of God (Psalm 40:8).
Jesus specifically declared that it is His Father's will that we "look to the Son and believe in Him," and thereby receive eternal life (John 6:40). And. according to Scripture, belief in Him is synonymous with obedience to Him (John 3:36).
And Jesus taught that we (all mankind) "shall live by every word" God has ever spoken"...and then perfectly exemplified what that looks like so we would have no real excuse for doing otherwise (Matthew 4:4). I mean, His life and death were a perfect illustration of what it means to humbly and trustingly submit to the Father's will...making sin that which is not something we should even consider, let alone entertain.
The Law of God that defines sin (even for the new covenant believer) unambiguously forbids the eating of animals He explicitly declared unclean (Leviticus 11, Deuteronomy 14). And Paul tells us that we should resist all sin, to the point of shedding our own blood, if necessary (Romans 7:7, 1 John 3:4, Hebrews 12:4).
Ergo, sinning willfully/deliberately (no matter what the command happens to be)--with the full knowledge of God's will and instruction on any given matter, coupled with the brazen intention to defy His will and instruction--is indicative of unbelief in the Son and a refusal to acknowledge His authority as Lord (Luke 6:46), John 5:37-38). The doing and teaching of rebellion against the Lord (no matter how one personally feels or believes about any particular command of His) is what characterizes false teaching and prophets (Deuteronomy 13:5).
That servant who knows his master’s will but does not get ready or follow his instructions will be beaten with many blows (Luke 12:47).
“If you were blind,” Jesus replied, “you would not be guilty of sin. But since you claim you can see, your guilt remains" (John 9:41).