Pork, the Law, and the Gospel: From Abraham’s Covenant to Christian Freedom

1. The Gospel Story in Brief

From Genesis to Revelation, God’s plan of salvation has never changed — it has always been by His grace through faith, not by human effort or rituals.

  • God’s Covenant with Abraham – In Genesis 15, God made His covenant with Abraham while Abraham was asleep. This shows the covenant depended entirely on God’s promise, not man’s performance.
  • The Promise – Through Abraham’s seed — Christ — all nations would be blessed (Genesis 22:18; Galatians 3:16).
  • The Law – Given later through Moses, not to save but to reveal sin and point to the need for a Saviour (Galatians 3:19–24).
  • Christ’s Fulfilment – Jesus perfectly kept the Law, died for our sins, and rose again so we can be justified by faith alone (Romans 5:1).
  • The Core Gospel – “That Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; and that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures” (1 Corinthians 15:3–4).

Bottom line: God saves by His grace through faith in Jesus Christ alone — nothing we do or keep can earn His favour.

2. The Law About Pork in Its Place

In the Old Covenant, Leviticus 11:7 forbade Israel to eat pork. This was part of the ceremonial laws meant to:

  • Set Israel apart from pagan nations (Leviticus 20:25–26)
  • Teach holiness and separation from sin (symbolically)
  • Foreshadow the complete purity found in Christ

These food laws were never the basis of salvation — they were temporary shadows pointing forward to Christ (Colossians 2:16–17).

3. Jesus and the Apostles on Food Laws

  • Jesus – “There is nothing from without a man, that entering into him can defile him: but the things which come out of him, those are they that defile the man… This he said, making all meats clean” (Mark 7:15, 19).
  • Peter’s Vision – “What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common” (Acts 10:15).
  • Paul – “I know, and am persuaded by the Lord Jesus, that there is nothing unclean of itself” (Romans 14:14). He also says all food “is sanctified by the word of God and prayer” (1 Timothy 4:3–5).

Conclusion: Under the New Covenant, eating pork is not sin — but how we use this freedom matters.

4. Freedom Governed by Love – 1 Corinthians 10:23–33

Paul applies this principle when speaking about food that had been offered to idols, but the truth applies equally to any “clean/unclean” food debate:

  • Freedom in Christ – “All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not” (1 Corinthians 10:23).
    In Christ, we are free to eat all foods, including pork — but Christian love asks a further question: Will my choice strengthen others and honour Christ, or could it cause someone to stumble?
  • Seek others’ good – “Let no man seek his own, but every man another’s wealth” (1 Corinthians 10:24).
  • Eat with thanksgiving – “Whatsoever is sold in the shambles, that eat, asking no question for conscience sake: For the earth is the Lord’s, and the fulness thereof” (1 Corinthians 10:25–26).
  • Avoid causing offense – “If any man say unto you, This is offered in sacrifice unto idols, eat not for his sake that shewed it” (1 Corinthians 10:28).
  • Do all for God’s glory – “Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31).
  • The Gospel first – “Even as I please all men in all things, not seeking mine own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved” (1 Corinthians 10:33).

5. The Unchanging Center: The Gospel

Whatever the topic — pork, feast days, or other outward practices — the key question is:

Does this point people to faith in Christ’s finished work alone, or does it add human rules as a condition for being right with God?

Anything that adds to the cross distorts the Gospel (Galatians 1:6–9).

6. Final Thought

  • The covenant with Abraham shows salvation is God’s work alone.
  • The Law reveals our inability to achieve righteousness by ourselves.
  • Christ’s death and resurrection provide complete righteousness for all who believe.
  • Food laws — including the prohibition on pork — are fulfilled in Christ.
  • Our freedom is real, but love and the Gospel govern how we use it.

“Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.” – 1 Corinthians 10:31


Posted in Religion by with comments disabled.