Conversations About Law and Grace, 2

Chris (the Christian) and Jude (the Messianic Jew) are about to watch a game together and decide to order pizza and then continue their conversation about law and grace.

Chris: Really? You won’t eat a pizza with pepperoni?

Jude: No, I am commanded not to eat pork.

Chris: Why not hamburger at least?

Jude: That is a traditional law, not one in the Bible exactly. We don’t mix milk and meat.

Chris: So it’s not even in the Bible, but it’s a rule you keep?

Jude: Let’s just stick with the Bible issue for now. We can talk about tradition some other time.

Chris: Okay, well I think it’s legalistic of you not to eat pepperoni. You have freedom in Christ. Didn’t God tell Peter to eat? I mean come on.

Jude: Hey, one thing at a time. We can talk about the Peter story another time too. So, you say not eating pepperoni is legalistic?

Chris: Yes, it’s one of those don’t touch and don’t taste rules. It’s the kind of thing that makes the law carnal and unspiritual. The way of Christ isn’t like that.

Jude: So, there’s nothing you can’t touch or taste in the way of Christ?

Chris: Right.

Jude: What about blood?

Chris: Come again.

Jude: You said the way of Christ isn’t about rules of not handling or eating. So can you eat blood?

Chris: Oh, you’re thinking of the book of Acts, right, the rules from the Jerusalem Council?

Jude: Yeah, Acts 15. The apostles asked that gentiles abstain from eating blood or meat strangled to keep the blood in it.

Chris: I guess that’s an exception.

Jude: What about another man’s wife? Does the way of Christ allow you to touch her also?

Chris: Okay, I get it. There are some things we should not touch or taste.

Jude: Do you believe there is such a thing as a commandment from God?

Chris: Of course. There are commandments.

Jude: So, how am I being legalistic if I obey a commandment?

Chris: Well, I don’t know, but I’m sure not eating pepperoni is not a commandment.

Jude: I can show it to you in Leviticus 11.

Chris: But that’s in the old law and it’s not in the way of Christ.

Jude: So, you would admit it’s not legalistic to obey God.

Chris: Sure.

Jude: So we’re not arguing about whether obedience is legalism then. We’re arguing about whether abstaining from pepperoni is a commandment.

Chris: Yeah, I guess you’re right.

Jude: So, it’s no more legalistic for me to watch what I eat than for you to be honest, be truthful, be chaste and pure?

Chris: True.

Jude: Now can I just get my cheese pizza and can we watch the game?

Chris: Yeah, but let’s pick this up again later. I will still want to know about Peter and also about that tradition stuff you mentioned.

Jude: You bet. I’m hungry.