And the pig, though it has a divided hoof, does not chew the cud; it is unclean for you. You must not eat their meat or touch their carcasses; they are unclean for you. Leviticus 11:7-8

In Leviticus 11, God gives a list of animals to eat and not to eat. These are the dietary laws that the Israelites had to follow.

Does that still apply today? Is eating a pork sandwich okay? What about a double bacon cheese burger?

Well, putting aside the fact that these foods are unhealthy for us, they aren’t a sin in God’s eyes. Maybe in the eyes of Bob from The Biggest Loser.

The dietary laws are good guidelines today for health, but they were trying to point to a greater value and that’s spiritual health.

Since these animals on the Leviticus list traditionally ate garbage (pigs), dead animals (vultures) and the waste of other creatures (shrimp), God wanted to make a point--Stay away from sin and do not consume sin into your life! Sin contaminates us and makes us unhealthy.

By staying away from these animals, God is showing us how to remain holy.

What about today? Many of the practices that the Israelites engaged in were attempts at revealing holiness before Christ—sacrifices on the altar, strict laws for Sabbath celebrations and holiday/feasts. All of them pointed to the coming savior who would cleanse us from sin.

Now that he came and fulfilled what they pointed to, it is no longer necessary to engage in those activities to prepare us for his arrival. Jesus himself even stopped the Passover celebration by changing it to communion.

So have that double bacon pork sandwich. Jesus died for your sin making you holy.