Do not be led away by diverse and strange teachings, for it is good for the heart to be strengthened by grace, not by foods, which have not benefited those devoted to them. We have an altar from which those who serve the tent have no right to eat. For the bodies of those animals whose blood is brought into the holy places by the high priest as a sacrifice for sin are burned outside the camp. So Jesus also suffered outside the gate in order to sanctify the people through his own blood. Therefore let us go to him outside the camp and bear the reproach he endured. For here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city that is to come. Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name. Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God. (Hebrews 13:9–16)In those days, the new believers who were brought up under the OT Laws were in danger of letting those laws become their focus. Instead of becoming literal about them, this passage tells these believers to see them as depicting their Messiah who would deliver them from all those rules and regulations. He would be perfect and willing to die like a sacrificed lamb so all who believe in Him would be released from their self-effort and redeemed from the punishment their sin deserved.
Gentile Christians did not have those laws hanging over their heads, yet they also needed to recognize that being saved from sin also means identifying with the One who died for all. Jesus is our example for how to live as those who trust Him for eternal life. We too are to suffer in ways that show those around us what Jesus suffered.
In other words, I don’t live for myself. If people ridicule or persecute me for my faith, then I am to bear that, praising God and be focused on the “lasting city” that is to come, not on my own comfort, not even on demanding my rights.
We are living in a world that is filled with people who are lawless and who demand their own way, even if it means walking all over others. False teachers make laws about what to eat and when. Jews still prohibit pork, shellfish, and mixing meat with dairy products in the same meal. Islam has similar laws and add anything containing alcohol. Hindus strictly forbid beef as well. Seventh-day Adventists add caffeine to the list, and Mormons add tobacco. Other groups prohibit eggs, honey, and root vegetables. While some of these restrictions are actually a good idea health-wise, the Bible says:
Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons, through the insincerity of liars whose consciences are seared, who forbid marriage and require abstinence from foods that God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, for it is made holy by the word of God and prayer. (1 Timothy 4:1–5)Forbidden foods illustrate false teaching. So does the idea that we need to protect our right to live in comfort without anyone reproaching us. Jesus did not live that way. He gave up human rights to love and die for us. This tells me not too be anxious about the way I am treated for obedience to Him. I’m to do good and share with others. This can be a sacrifice of time, money, attention, and other things that those who want personal “rights” might criticize me for willingly giving up. While it seems not too likely these days, the Bible speaks of discernment and how it can go wrong:
Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter! (Isaiah 5:20)I see it already, mild perhaps in calling October 31 the best holiday (holy day) of the year, or laws protecting certain lifestyles that God forbids, and sharing the gospel is now not allowed in certain places.
Jesus, the lawlessness predicted before Your return is increasing. While it affects my emotions at times, I’m thankful for Your Word that makes clear what You want from me. Do good and always give You praise. I’m thankful that there are still many who love and obey You and are wiling to suffer those who accuse them of being wrong.