Fulfillment of the Law

"This is the law of the animals and the birds and every living creature that moves in the waters, and of every creature that creeps on the earth, to distinguish between the unclean and the clean, and between the animal that may be eaten and the animal that may not be eaten."
~ Leviticus 11:46-47 (NKJV)

Eat whatever is set before you, asking no question ... Whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. Give no offense, either to the Jews or to the Greeks or to the church of God ... [seeking] the profit of many, that they may be saved.
~ 1 Corinthians 10:27,31-33 (NKJV)

Owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law.... Love does no harm to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.
~ Romans 13:8,10 (NKJV)

It would be difficult to closely associate with someone and never eat with them. The laws which instructed the Israelites to abstain from certain foods was one of the most effective ways to segregate them from the pagan people around them, and show them set apart to the LORD.

In Christ such restrictions no longer bind us. We are free to eat non-kosher foods and to abstain from them (not a bad idea considering how unhealthy they are). More important than what we eat is what brings glory to God? What gives offense? What brings others to know Christ?

Love is the fulfillment of the law. A healthy physician must be willing to enter the presence of sickness to bring healing. If we allow Christ's righteousness rather than self-righteousness to dominate our lives, then even in the presence of another's sin Christ's love will be displayed in us.

Lord Jesus Christ, thank You for Your perfect righteousness, available only through Your blood and given to us by Your Holy Spirit. Please give us discernment in how to yield to Your will and how to best manifest Your love to all around us.

Feedback invited. Post to BuildingHisBody.com "Comments" or e-mail to BuildingHisBody@gmail.com. Copyright 2009, Anne Lang Bundy, all rights reserved.