Hebrews 13:8-9 – Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. So do not be attracted by strange, new ideas. Your strength comes from God's grace, not from rules about food, which don't help those who follow them.
When I think of all the books that I own, I probably have more diet books than on any other subject. For years, I have always bought the newest diet plan which projected to revolutionize society. They were mostly very similar to each other, but with just enough different philosophy to justify writing a new book with a plan, rebranding and with a new name.
Of course, today's scripture doesn't have to do with a particular diet as much as it has to do with rules to follow the law of Moses. Most of us are familiar that there are very specific dietary rules the Jews were to follow. Not eating things from the ocean without scales. Not eating pork. On and on goes the list. It actually makes a good Google search to look up the dietary rules given in the Old Testament for the Jewish culture.
I don't believe that Paul here is talking about a refusal to follow a particular diet to lose weight but rather rules that govern the way you eat for religious reasons in obedience to God. In essence following "the law".
But there is something to be learned from today's passage, even for us. Almost weekly, there is a new book to try and bring a different flavor to the path of how to successfully follow Christ. Namely a secret, newly uncovered by someone who has a new formula that will help you live a better and more successful Christian life. Although these can be sometimes very helpful, we must be careful not to chase the latest formula to be successful in our walk with God. Especially if it means that we are not focused on the simplest and plainest of paths Christ has set out for us.
Remember, when questioning another about the two greatest commands of God, Christ said, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart," and, "Love your neighbor as yourself."
This message of Christ is the same today, just as it was in the past and will be in the future:
"Love Me as I Love you, and with that love, love others."
I like those words He spoke to His first disciples: "Follow me."
Stay healthy and have a blessed day!
~Dean Burnetti
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