Free Love and Strict Diets

Free Love and Strict Diets

I came across two interesting and inadvertently related articles on the 'net today. First, here: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/02/25/AR2009022503123.html?hpid=opinionsbox1 George Will points out that, while Americans in general have become quite casual about sex--anything goes-- many are becoming quite strict; even moralistic about food. Second, here: http://www.albertmohler.com/blog_read.php?id=3348
Al Mohler details the growing use of pornography in American life.

On sex, the scriptures lay out a well-defined standard. Sex is for and between a married man and woman only. All else is sin whether it be physical sex or sexual fantasy. But on food, while all eating is to be done in moderation, and while our physical health should be guarded, all meat is consumable by the Christian. "Every creature of God is good and is to be received with thanksgiving" Paul says.

Our society, having turned away from God, is completely mixed up in relation to these two.

If You Are The Son of God...

In the opening chapters of Luke, Luke shows that Jesus is the Son of God because He is born of a virgin. Then Luke shows that Jesus is the Son of God because He is declared by the Father to be his Son. Finally, Luke shows that Jesus is the Son of God because He demonstrates his Sonship through his obedience.

Satan comes to Jesus and three times tempts Him in the wilderness. On two of those occasions, Satan taunts, “If you are the son of God….” Jesus shows that he is God’s Son for when he is tempted to satisfy his hunger through his own power He remains dependent upon God for his daily bread. When He is tempted with “having it all” if He will only worship Satan (in place of God) He quotes the scripture and refuses. Finally, when he is tempted to act foolishly by throwing Himself from the temple, he refuses saying “You shall not tempt the Lord your God”.

Like Jesus, those who place their faith in Christ are declared to be sons of God. This is a judicial declaration (called justification) which is irreversible. However, salvation is more than being declared a son of God, salvation entails that we live in obedience to God through the power of the Holy Spirit (as Jesus was filled with the Spirit in the wilderness). It entails that we depend upon God for our daily sustenance, put Him first in our lives, and seek to obey Him in all areas of life. Of course, we will not do this perfectly as Jesus did, but we will do it increasingly as he empowers us, if we are the sons of God.