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Romans 14:14 |
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I know, and am persuaded by the Lord Jesus, that [there is] nothing unclean of itself: but to him that esteemeth any thing to be unclean, to him [it is] unclean.
Note 12 at Rom. 14:14: This is quite a statement! Nothing is unclean. It is how we use things that makes them unclean.
The Old Testament law declared many animals unclean (Lev. 11), not because there was anything wrong with the animals, but the Lord was making a point. In the New Testament, Paul reveals that every creature of God is good and nothing to be refused if it is received with thanksgiving (1 Tim. 4:4). Every creature of God was always good, even during Old Testament times. But the Lord wanted His people to be a holy people, separated unto Him even in the things they ate.
Therefore, He gave them dietary laws that pronounced certain animals as unclean so that they would be reminded, even as they ate, that they were not free to do just whatever they wanted to do. They were bought with a price (1 Cor. 6:20) and they were to glorify God in every area of their lives (1 Cor. 10:31).
Colossians 2:16-17 makes it very clear that these dietary laws were shadows of things that are now realities in Christ. Yet, just as with so many other Old Testament truths, the Jews had become engrossed in the observance of the ritual with no understanding as to what it symbolized. Likewise today, some Christians still hold to Old Testament ritual without any idea that the ritual has become reality in Christ (see note 1 at Jn. 5:16, p. 154).
In Colossians 2:16-17, Paul said these things were shadows of things to come. If I were walking towards you but the corner of a building blocked your view, then my shadow could be very significant. It could show you I was coming and how close I was. But once I came around the corner and was in view, it would be unthinkable that you would fall down and embrace my shadow. My shadow is meaningful only because it represents me. Once you could talk to me, my shadow would be meaningless.
Likewise, Old Testament rituals were significant before Christ came. They illustrated truths that were not yet in full view. But now that Christ has come, the rituals are meaningless and can be oppressive if they are wrongfully thought to be requirements for acceptance with God.
