A Word For Thought

God gave His Hebrew people specific diet restrictions, which we find burdensome, even onerous.
We say, “What for ?”

Some formulate diets based on selected parts of the Old Testament, and say they have a better life.

Then Peter has his vision where God says to not call anything unclean, especially Gentiles.

So we feel a big relief to eat what we want.

Now, why all the restrictions and rules back then ?
It doesn’t mean there was something bad in the forbidden foods.
They were forbidden because God said, “Don’t eat !”
It was a test of obedience.

HMMM !
God said before, “Don’t eat this !”
There was not something bad in the forbidden fruit on the one tree in the middle of the garden, but it was forbidden to eat it—WITH CONSEQUENCES !

Today, we may not see anything bad in the forbidden fruit on God’s list.*
But if He spelled that list out in black and white and wrote it down for us to read and know—the truth—we do well to learn from history, from Adam and Eve, from Israel, and from . . . !

One more confirmation to “lean not on our own understanding”.

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So what is the forbidden fruit—THE LIST—for us, today ?
“Flee fornication.”
“Flee youthful lusts.”
“Do not commit adultery.”
“Whoever looks on a woman to lust after her, has committed adultery with her already in his heart.”
“Avoid every appearance of evil.”
“Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers – – – They will turn your children away from following Me.”
“Wives, submit to your husbands in the Lord.”
“Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church, and gave himself for it.”
“So God created mankind in his own image; in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.”
“A man shall leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh.”
“Be fruitful and multiply.”
“Do not permit a woman to teach, nor to use authority over a man, but to be in quietness.” (in the church)
“Come out from among unbelievers, and separate yourselves from them, says the LORD.”
“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of the Lord.”
“What is required of [us] stewards—to be found faithful.”
“Be faithful unto death, and I will give you a crown of life.”

*until we experience the consequences
“Be sure your sins will find you out.”