Intercontinental Church of God - Chicago Church
Affiliated with the Garner Ted Armstrong Evangelistic Association

Bacon on Steak

 Is it OK to just take the bacon off my steak?

 By: Jim Josephsen

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 Spiritual lessons learned by discriminating between clean and unclean meats

 Understanding Holiness

Some of the finer restaurants (and some not so fine) will serve a succulent beef filet mignon with a generous strip of pork bacon wrapped around it, to enhance the flavor. Of course as the steak is cooking so too is the bacon. The juices mingle and filet is given to taste much like bacon. The average beef eating, pork ingesting American will see no problem with the resultant flavor; with this combination of meats. Those who may be a little more particular and not like pork will simply take the bacon strip off the steak and proceed eating the mouth-watering filet.

For those who acknowledge and strive to keep the clean and unclean meats laws (as found in Leviticus 11 and Deuteronomy 14), “is it OK to just take the bacon off the steak and proceed to eat the filet?” After all to take the bacon off will ensure one does not eat the pig.

Following the logic of that question, one can also ask, “Is it all right to pick the sausage off the pizza” or “is it all right to pick the ham out of my noodle salad” or “is it OK to just pick the bacon out of the green beans?” “After all, I’m not eating the pig.”

Beef is clean to eat for as the scriptures state, “whatsoever parteth the hoof and is clovenfooted and cheweth the cud, among the beasts, shall you eat” Leviticus 11:3 (cf. Deuteronomy 14:6).

Pork (swine, pig) is unclean because “it divideth the hoof, yet cheweth not the cud, it is unclean unto you, you shall not eat their flesh or touch their dead carcass” Deuteronomy 14:8 (cf. Leviticus 11:7).

Through the laws given to Israel, God defined what is good (proper and right) to eat and what is bad (unacceptable and wrong) to eat.

In defining the difference, God provided a distinction. The separation or distinction of clean meats verses unclean meats was actually codified and given absolute sanction by God at the time He gave the laws to Israel. However, the actual distinction and separation of clean and unclean animals (meats) goes back long before the laws were given to Israel.

Let’s understand a little bit of history. A simple review of man’s diet tells us that prior to the Noachian Flood; mankind did not eat any kind of meat.

At the time of creation, and for about the first thousand years of man’s existence, human beings were what we would call, herbivores (vegetarians).   Man did not eat meat.

Notice Genesis 1:29-30 (NIV): Then God said, I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food. And to all the beasts of the earth and all the birds of the air and all the creatures that move on the ground – everything that has the breath of life in it – I give every green plant for food. And it was so.”

It was only after the flood that God allowed meat to be eaten; that God instructed man that the beasts of the earth could be their food – in addition to the seed-bearing plants and fruit with seed in it.

Notice Genesis 9:1-3 (NIV).  Then God blessed Noah and his sons, saying to them, be fruitful and increase in number and fill the earth. The fear and the dread of you will fall upon all the beasts of the earth and all the birds of the air, upon every creature that moves along the ground and upon all fish of the sea: they are given into your hands. Everything that lives and moves will be food for you. Just as I gave you the green plants, I now give you everything.

After the flood, man’s diet consisted of both meats (everything that lives and moves), and fruits, herbs, grains and vegetables.

Of interest, notice; God said every moving thing that liveth shall be meat for you (Genesis 9:3 KJV).

Interesting; from this scripture we understand, we are told of, no distinction. There was no command given here prohibiting the eating of unclean meats (beasts, fish, fowl, creeping things). We do not read there are bad (unclean) meats, which are not meant for consumption. God did not command Noah and his sons to avoid eating unclean meats (foods). God simply stated everything that lives shall be meat for you. Everything means everything.

And by and large, human beings can eat just about everything. Not only meats we would consider clean, such as chicken, quail, beef, veal, lamb, salmon, perch but also meats we would consider unclean, such as pork (ham, bacon), shell fish, crab, oysters, lobster, squid, squirrel,  rabbit, worms, opossum, rodents, ostrich, dog and assorted insects.

Eating the things which the Scriptures call unclean, will not cause the person (who eats such) to die instantly (generally speaking).

Certainly there are poisonous creatures and meats that will cause instant death, if not paralysis or coma (just as there are some plants that are not meant for consumption, being poisonous). Nonetheless, there are hundreds of unclean meats that a person can eat for a whole lifetime and not die instantly. Many individuals, cultures and nations consume and digest all types of unclean meats only to live another day; only to live out their lives full of years; some seventy, eighty, ninety plus years.

It so seems eating unclean meats will not kill you – right away, anyway. That is just a fact.

God created the human body to be quite resilient and able to tolerate much. The human stomach with its acids and “created” digestive processes is able to digest and metabolize all kinds of foods, both clean and unclean. However, eating unclean meats will sharply increase the risk of diseases and will weaken and break down the body, its immune system and its systemic functions over time.

What is vital to understand is even though God declared everything can be eaten, God did not mean everything should be eaten or is proper to be eaten. 

Notice, God declared a distinction; God marked out a difference. God defined clean vs. unclean and communicated the distinction to his creation, to mankind through Noah and his sons. In declaring a distinction, in designating a difference, God challenged man. God has put man to the test, to determine whether or not man would obey God.

Even before the flood, God instructed Noah to separate the clean from the unclean beasts. 

Notice Genesis 7: 1-2 and verse 8 (KJV). And the Eternal said unto Noah, come thou and all thy house into the ark; for thee have I seen righteous before me in this generation. Of every clean beast thou shalt take to thee by sevens, the male and his female: and of the beasts that are not clean by two, male and his female. … Of clean beasts and of the beasts that are not clean and the fowls and of every thing that creepeth upon the earth.

Continuing in Genesis 8:20: And Noah builded an alter unto the Eternal; and took of every clean beast, and of every clean fowl and offered burnt offerings on the alter.

Although many theologians will argue, the only reason God declared unto Noah clean verses unclean was in deference to sacrifices, the point is clearly established here - God declared clean verses unclean. God declared a difference.

At minimum, God did not want (nor will He ever respect) an unclean offering or an unclean sacrifice offered to Him. And there is more God does not want, will not accept and will not respect; all of which we can understand when we learn why God has declared a distinction between clean and unclean meats.

As we read from the Word of God and as we read the laws of God which reveal the distinctions and the designation of clean verses unclean meats, we will come to understand just what God requires and expects of His people. The physical laws reveal tremendous spiritual lessons.

It is clear, prior to the flood, God had established a distinction - there is clean and there is unclean. Prior to the flood, God communicated a difference to Noah. God declared there are clean beasts and unclean beasts. God established separation.

Even before the flood occurred, God knew that after the flood, man’s diet would be changed and meats (beasts) would be acceptable and available for consumption. Even before Noah and his family was told everything that liveth shall be meat for you, God had determined that clean is good, unclean is bad.

God defined what is good, right and proper and what is not (good, right and proper). God declares right verse wrong; declaring such, God established laws which were codified. God’s laws have not been done away and we are not to compromise with the words God speaks.

Clean and unclean beasts (meats) were established long before Israel became a nation. The laws of clean and unclean meats as found in Leviticus 11 and Deuteronomy 14, were codified and established for a very specific reason and purpose.

When instructing Israel; teaching the Children of Israel of a new and improved way of life; a way of life that would be different from the way of life, the culture and the various practices of the heathen, gentile nations existing around them at that time, notice what He told the Children of Israel (all twelve tribes – not just the Jews) as we read in Leviticus 11:44-47.

“For I am the Eternal thy God: you shall sanctify yourselves and you shall be holy; for I am holy: neither shall ye defile yourselves with any manner of creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. For I am the Eternal that bringeth you up out of the land of Egypt to be your God: you shall therefore be holy as I am holy. This is the law of the beasts and of the fowl and of every living creature that moves in the waters and of every creature that creepeth upon the earth: to make a difference between the unclean and the clean, between the beasts that may be eaten and the beasts that may not be eaten.”

Following in the same mind, notice Deuteronomy 4:5-8: “Behold, I have taught you statutes and judgments, even as the Lord my God commanded me, that you should do so in the land where you go to possess it. Keep therefore and do them; for this is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the nations which shall hear all these statutes and say, surely this great nation (speaking of Israel) is a wise and understanding people. For what nation is there so great, who hath God so near unto them, as the Lord our God is in all things that we call upon him for? And what nation is there so great, that has statutes and judgments so righteous ….”

Continuing, notice now Deuteronomy 7:6: “For you are a holy people unto the Eternal thy God. The Eternal thy God has chosen you to be a special people unto himself above all the people that are upon the face of the earth.”

Consider Exodus 19:5-6. “Now therefore, if you will obey my voice indeed and keep my covenant  then you shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for the earth is mine: And you shall be unto me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation. These are the words which you shall speak unto the Children of Israel.”

Notice Leviticus 20:23-26. ”And you shall not walk in the manner of the nations, which I cast out before you: for they commit all these things and therefore I abhor them. But I have said unto you, You shall inherit their land and I will give it unto you to possess it, a land flowing with milk and honey: I am the Eternal your God, which have separated you from other people. You shall therefore put a difference between clean beasts and unclean, and between unclean fowl and clean: and you shall not make your souls (nephesh = lives) abominable by beast or fowl or any manner of living thing that creepeth on the ground, which I have separated from you as unclean. And you shall be holy unto me: for I the Eternal am holy and have severed you from other people, that you should be mine.”

God declared the nation of Israel as a holy people. By God distinguishing Israel, setting them apart, God set the pattern; He established a precedent. God called out Israel. God defined Israel as being a nation different from the rest of the nations extant at that time.

The daily physical act of separating clean from unclean meats was a constant remainder to the Israelites that they were a separated people, declared that way by God Himself.

By teaching Israel of a new way of life, a way of life in obedience to His laws, God gave Israel an opportunity to give a witness to the nations around them, showing those nations that Israel was a unique, separated, and a better people than those nations around them. Israel was to act as a light of God’s righteousness, shining brightly for all the nations to see.

Israel was declared a HOLY nation. Why?

Israel was declared a HOLY nation because God is HOLY; and God wanted Israel to be as HE is - holy. Leviticus 19:2, Speak to the congregation of the children of Israel and say to them, you shall be holy: for I the Eternal your God am Holy.

Our English word, holy, is translated from the Hebrew word, qodesh (kodesh – see Strong’s 6944). Kodesh means a sacred (place or thing), sanctity, consecrated, set apart, dedicated, hallowed, holy.

The Greek word which is translated into the English word holy is hagios (Strong’s 40). Hagios means holy, sacred, pure, blameless, consecrated, set apart, most holy, saint.

Both kodesh and hagios clearly communicate the idea of that which is different, distinguished, set apart, sacred, pure or consecrated. Both communicate a state of being which is different or distinct from a state of being which is common or ordinary, unclean (not sacred) or mundane.

The New Testament explains that those individuals who are members of the Church of God, the Israel of God (Galatians 6:16) baptized into the Body of Christ, are called holy people.

In any English language Bible, we can read the word saint(s). The word saint(s) designates or signifies individuals who are sanctified, set apart, distinguished, blameless, pure, cleansed or holy. The word saint is equivalent to the term and designates holy person, holy people.

 Notice the following scriptures, as some of the many which use the word saint(s).

Romans 1:7, To all that be at Rome, beloved of God called saints ….

1 Corinthians 1:2, Unto the Church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus called saints with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ ….

2 Corinthians 1:1, Paul an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God and Timothy our brother unto the Church of God which is at Corinth with all the saints that are in all Achaia.

Ephesians 1:1, Paul an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God to the saints which are at Ephesus …. 6:18 … watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints.

Philippians 1:1, Paul and Timotheus, the servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus, which are at Philippi ….

Philippians 4:21, Salute every saint in Christ Jesus.

Colossians 1:2, To the saints and faithful brethren in Christ which are at Colosse …, vs. 26 … but now is made manifest to his saints.

Revelation 14:12, Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus.

In Ephesians, the fourth chapter, we learn that Jesus Christ sets up, arranges and gives responsibilities to various men within the church for specific duties. All these responsibilities are directed with one goal in mind. That goal is for the perfecting of the saints (Ephesians 4:12). Those individuals in the Body of Christ, who are saints (holy), are to become more mature, increasing in and striving toward, preparing for spiritual perfection.

The English word saint(s) is translated from the Greek word hagios (Strong’s 40). Once again this word means holy, sacred, pure, blameless, consecrated, set apart, most holy, saint.

By the very definition, a saint is a holy person. A saint is one who is dedicated, set apart, sacred, sanctified, and distinguished. God designates those whom He calls “out of the world” as saints. A saint is characterized as being different from common, ordinary, mundane, unholy, unclean.

In simple terms, the word saint means holy one or set apart one. The New Testament designates all who are baptized and in the Body of Christ, the very church of God, as saints. They are by calling, set apart by God.

Notice further 1Corinthians 6:9-11: Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the Kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the Kingdom of God. And such were some of you: but you are washed, but you are sanctified, but you are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God.

The word sanctified is translated from the Greek word hagiazo (Strong’s 37) which means purify, make holy, venerate, sanctify.

Those under the New Covenant are cleansed and justified by the blood of Christ, baptized (washed) into the Body of Christ, into the Church of God, are called saints, are holy, are sanctified, are set apart.

Consider the following scriptures:

Colossians 1:22. In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight.

Colossians 3:12. Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved ….

Ephesians 1:4. According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love.

The word holy as used in these scriptures are all translated from the Greek word hagios. The words holy and saint(s) are one in the same, when it comes to God’s people.

Notice Jude 1. Jude a servant of Jesus Christ and brother to James, to them that are sanctified by God the Father and preserved in Jesus Christ, called:

Just as Ancient Israel was (to be) holy before God, so the Church of God and each individual member preserved in the Body of Christ is (to be) holy before God, the Father.

Now with this in mind, let us continue to understand the necessity of separating the clean from the unclean; the reason why the pig should stay off the beef.

As we understand from the laws of God (Leviticus 20:24-25), the avoidance of unclean (foods) was one important witness and national declaration of Israel’s separation from the nations around them. The avoidance of unclean foods was one element marking Israel’s holiness.

As the written laws of God declare, God distinguishes between clean and unclean; what is considered good to eat and what is considered bad to eat. These are laws of God, and to break them is to commit sin. 1 John 3:4: sin is the transgression of the law. To eat meats which are designated as unclean is to commit sin.

The Apostle Paul stated, well after Jesus Christ was crucified and resurrected, the law is holy and the commandment is holy and just and good (Romans 7:12). Jesus Christ said, think not that I am come to destroy the law and the prophets: I come not to destroy but to fulfill (Matthew 5:17).  Here we read of two obvious scriptures that point to the reality that the laws (including those that regulate the types of meats we are not to eat) are still in affect today. The laws were not nailed to the stake.

Paul (through Tertius – Paul’s stenographer) told the Church at Rome, for we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin (Romans 7:14).

All the laws and commandments, statutes and judgments of God regulate physical behavior. But all have spiritual implications, spiritual meanings and spiritual principles which go beyond the physical expressions; beyond the physical keeping. One can only begin to understand the spiritual meanings only by actually physically keeping the laws.

Consider what Christ said during His Sermon on the Mount. Cf. Matthew 5:21-22. you have heard that it was said by them of old, Thou shall not kill … but I say unto you whosoever is angry … whosoever shall say to his brother Raca (empty-headed) … whosoever shall say to his brother you fool …. Having these attitudes, Christ said, is as good as killing your brother.

Christ taught beyond the physical application of the law. Christ taught the spiritual principles of what the laws meant and how we are, as we physically obey the laws, to apply the laws in our lives, mentally and spiritually.

Notice Matthew 5:27. You have heard that it was said by them of old, Thou shall not commit adultery. But I say unto you whosoever looks on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery already in his heart.

Throughout His ministry, Christ showed there was more to the laws than the simple physical keeping of the laws. The law is spiritual (Romans 7:14) and when physically kept will reveal the foundation of spiritual meaning, reflecting spiritual or Godly character. We are to go beyond just keeping the law. We are to have within us the mind and desire to not only keep the law physically but to understand the laws requirements, spiritually.

The great(est) commandment is thou shall love the Lord thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul and with all thy mind (Matthew 22:37). This law is fully understood, spiritually fulfilled as we practice physically, keeping the many laws, commandments and admonitions associated with honoring and obeying God as they are laid out throughout the entirety of the Scriptures. We show our love for God when we do what He says.

To do (to keep) the physical laws reveals spiritual, Godly principles and character, Godly understanding which sharpens our spiritual character, our Christ-like mind, producing holiness before God. We are to become like Christ, imitators of Christ.

Paul understood the fullness of the law, the spirit of the law (2 Corinthians 3:6-9), the spiritual application of the law as expressed by physical activity when he explained to the Corinthian Church that He and Barnabas were worthy of, they had the right to obtain remuneration, food and supplies (carnal things) on account of the fact that they worked as laborers for the Church. Paul used a law of God and its physical application in order to show the spiritual meaning, intent and principle of that particular law.

Every law of God goes beyond the physical application.

 Notice 1 Corinthians 9:9-11. For it is written in the Law of Moses, thou shall not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn. Doth God take care for oxen? Or saith he it altogether for our sakes? For our sakes no doubt this is written: that he that ploweth should plow in hope and he that thresheth in hope should be partakers of his hope. If we have sown unto you spiritual things, is it a great thing if we shall reap your carnal things.

God teaches us tremendous spiritual lessons, spiritual and character developing principles by way of our physical obedience to His laws; by way of our physically keeping His laws. Let us never be ignorant of this fact.

When we engage in physical actions which are in keeping of God’s law, we are developing spiritual character and spiritual mind. We are developing more of the Christ-like character, righteous and holy character which is necessary for our maturing in the faith, as sons and daughters of God.

Once again consider the many times Christ said, “You have heard it said of them of old – but I say unto you.” Christ, who is our example, did not sin (1 Peter 2:21-22, I John 2:6, Hebrews 4:15, I John 3:5, 2 Corinthians 5:21); He kept the laws perfectly, both physically and spiritually.

When we keep God’s laws, we are expressing to God the fact that we care about what He says, what He commands us to do and we acknowledge that we accept the fact He knows what is right for us. We show our love for God.

For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous (1 John 5:3).

In the book of Acts we come across an interesting situation dealing with a choice Peter had to make.

Notice the narrative, Acts 10:10-28. And he became very hungry, and would have eaten: but while they made ready, he fell into a trance, And saw heaven opened, and a certain vessel descending upon him, as it had been a great sheet knit at the four corners, and let down to the earth: Wherein were all manner of four-footed beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air. And there came a voice to him, Rise, Peter; kill, and eat. But Peter said, Not so, Lord; for I have never eaten any thing that is common or unclean. And the voice spake unto him again the second time, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common. This was done thrice: and the vessel was received up again into heaven. Now while Peter doubted in himself what this vision which he had seen should mean, behold, the men which were sent from Cornelius had made enquiry for Simon's house, and stood before the gate, And called, and asked whether Simon, which was surnamed Peter, were lodged there. While Peter thought on the vision, the Spirit said unto him, Behold, three men seek thee. Arise therefore, and get thee down, and go with them, doubting nothing: for I have sent them. Then Peter went down to the men which were sent unto him from Cornelius; and said, Behold, I am he whom ye seek: what is the cause wherefore ye are come? And they said, Cornelius the centurion, a just man, and one that feareth God, and of good report among all the nation of the Jews, was warned from God by an holy angel to send for thee into his house, and to hear words of thee. Then called he them in, and lodged them. And on the morrow Peter went away with them, and certain brethren from Joppa accompanied him. And the morrow after they entered into Caesarea. And Cornelius waited for them, and he had called together his kinsmen and near friends. And as Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him, and fell down at his feet, and worshipped him. But Peter took him up, saying, Stand up; I myself also am a man. And as he talked with him, he went in, and found many that were come together. And he said unto them, Ye know how that it is an unlawful thing for a man that is a Jew to keep company, or come unto one of another nation; but God hath shewed me that I should not call any man common or unclean.

Here we read of a momentous event having occurred to further the preaching of the gospel of salvation. Peter was told; now the gentiles have an opportunity for salvation. The gentiles can now be offered the very same salvation afforded to the Jews (Cf. Act 10:34-11:1, Acts 11:8-8 and Acts 15:7-11).

However, not to be lost in the narrative, notice that Peter (either by choice, or as induced by the Spirit of God acting on his mind during the vision), argued with Christ, the Lord. Notice Peter protested when confronted, when told to eat unclean foods.

Notice Peter said, not so Lord: for I have never eaten anything that is common or unclean (vs. 14 – notice Acts 11:8). … nothing common or unclean hath at any time entered into my mouth.

By the narrative, we understand that there are meats (beast, creeping things, fowl of the air) which Peter recognized as unclean to eat, and did not eat. Even at the risk of arguing with Christ, Peter said, “No way; I won’t eat that; I never have.”

The vision (trance) Peter experienced was allowed in order to instruct Peter and teach the church at that time, that people are not to be called common or unclean. God is no respecter of persons; all have an opportunity to be saved, to come to salvation. God is not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.

All that said, the vision however in no way blemished Peter’s character, custom or habit of staying true and faithful to the clean meats law. Peter knew to distinguish between clean and unclean meats. Peter kept the clean meats law, long after Christ was crucified and resurrected. The laws of clean meats were still in affect years after Christ’s death and resurrection.

Although as we read of earlier, every moving thing that liveth shall be meat for you (Genesis 9:3), God declared that certain moving things are not to be eaten. They are unclean.

Of a certainty, many meats, beasts, creeping things, fish and fowl are not good to be eaten; for they are simply not good for the body. To ingest unclean foods is to introduce poisons into your body and in affect, you are slowly killing yourself, you are slowing destroying the temple of God, which a saint is (1 Corinthians 3:16-17).

As is declared by the law, to eat the unclean is to contaminate yourself. Is there a spiritual lesson here?

Can God’s saints put themselves into a position of contaminating themselves spiritually, of killing themselves spiritually?

For one who has been elevated to holiness, separated by God into a Godly calling, called out of this world, living a life of conversion, baptized into the Church of God, called a saint; the eating of unclean foods brings that person down to the level of common, of unclean, of unholy.

When one does eat of the unclean, an acknowledgment of this sin is needed and repentance and asking God for forgiveness must follow. As with all sins we commit, when we are awakened to that fact that we have sinned or are sinning, we are to repent and stop the behavior. We are to ask for God’s forgiveness and for the strength to overcome. We are not to do that which corrupts us.

Greater vigilance and careful scrutiny is required, as we are to (continuously) examine yourself, whether you be in the faith; prove your own self. Know you not your own self how that Jesus Christ is in you, except you be reprobate? (2 Corinthians 13:5). Would Jesus Christ ingest the unclean thing?

God has commanded us (as His chosen, separated people) to avoid unclean foods in order to allow us to live a better, healthier physical life. Yet there is an important spiritual lesson we learn in keeping God’s laws of clean and unclean foods.

The physical act and practice of discriminating your food selections is necessary for God’s people, God’s elect; God’s saints.

Discriminating your food selections aids you in understanding that you need to discriminate in all aspects, all things (thoughts, actions and behavior) in your life, in order to remain holy before God.

Attentive selection of foods is a physical practice which produces spiritual character. You learn to pay attention to, to discriminate between that which is good, clean and holy, right and just and that which is impure, evil, unholy, pagan, and unacceptable when it comes to worshipping God; when it comes to what God requires as pertaining to all aspects of life.

When you practice avoiding unclean foods; when you discriminate and carefully select, being vigilant for what you put in your mouth, you are practicing holiness; you are setting yourself apart. You are doing that which God expects of you.

What does God expect of you?

God expects you to be Holy as He is Holy - in mind, in thought, in action and behavior.

Just as God expected and taught Israel to be holy, so He teaches and expects His saints to be holy. 

Consider 1 Thessalonians 4:3-4, 7. For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that you should abstain from fornication: that every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honor. … For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness.

Notice Romans 12:1-2. I beseech you therefore brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

Conformity to this world will cause one to take a lackadaisical approach toward food. Conformity to this world hypnotizes one to accept the foods presented before them, without distinguishing clean from unclean, without discriminating.

When you stand up and stand out by not eating the unclean thing, you are offering yourself as a living sacrifice. You are putting yourself and your faith out in front for those around you to see that you are different, you are set apart. You are transformed; not conformed to this world’s eating habits.

Nominal, modern day, American-style Christianity, does not set itself apart by avoiding the unclean foods. Their practice is to conform to the world. Their practice is to carelessly eat at the trough of unclean foods. There is no discriminating in their eating habits.

Notice what God said of those who thought themselves good, God-fearing, religious people; people who thought themselves to be sanctified, people who confessed that they “love the Lord.” But they sanctified themselves (they were religious by their own standards, religious in their own eyes – much like American style, Sunday-keeping Christians today). Isaiah 66:17 (NIV); those who consecrate [sanctify] and purify themselves to go into the gardens (where pagan rituals were performed – much like in Sunday-keeping churches), following the one in the midst of those who eat the flesh of pigs and rats and other abominable things, they will meet their end together, says the Lord.

As you recall, God expected Israel to be a Holy people unto Him. Read once again Deuteronomy 7:6: “For you are a holy people unto the Eternal thy God. The Eternal thy God has chosen you to be a special people unto himself above all the people that are upon the face of the earth.”

Notice once again Leviticus 11:44-47. “For I am the Eternal thy God: you shall sanctify yourselves and you shall be holy; for I am holy: neither shall ye defile yourselves with any manner of creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. For I am the Eternal that bringeth you up out of the land of Egypt to be your God: you shall therefore be holy as I am holy. This is the law of the beasts and of the fowl and of every living creature that moves in the waters and of every creature that creepeth upon the earth: to make a difference between the unclean and the clean, between the beasts that may be eaten and the beasts that may not be eaten.”

Speaking of Ancient Israel, notice now Deuteronomy 14:2-3. For thou art an holy people unto the Lord thy God and the Lord hath chosen you to be a peculiar people unto himself above all nations that are upon the earth. Thou shalt not eat any abominable thing.

Exodus 19:5-6. “Now therefore, if you will obey my voice indeed and keep my covenant  then you shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for the earth is mine: And you shall be unto me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation. These are the words which you shall speak unto the Children of Israel.”

Notice the language in these preceding scriptures. Notice the words written and now compare them with the words Peter spoke when writing to the Church of God, to the individuals who were members of the Body of Christ; those called saints.

But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people, that you should show forth the praise of him that called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Which in times past were not a people, but now are a people of God, which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy (1 Peter 2:9-10).

Notice what more Peter said to the elect (1 Peter 1:2) of God, as we read in 1 Peter 1:13-16: Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance; but as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conduct (Greek – anastrophe – behavior, conduct); because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.

The Church of God, its members, each individual (you), baptized and converted, in the Body of Christ, are Holy. Just as Ancient Israel was called and selected, physically, so now the Church of God is called and selected; called to be Holy both physically and spiritually.

Why is it necessary to discriminate, to be selective and carefully avoid eating unclean meats (foods)?

Because you are Holy and it is your responsibility to remain that way.

Notice further what the apostle Paul taught the Church of God in Corinth. These words of instruction and admonition were necessary, powerful and meaningful for the saints of God back in the 1^st century. These words are just as powerful, instructive and necessary for the saints of God today in the 21st Century.

Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you. And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty. Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God (2 Corinthians 6:14 – 7:1).

In order to understand the depth of meaning; the profound sense of importance Paul had communicated to the Corinthian Church, read these verses from the New International Version Bible (translation).

Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? What harmony is there between Christ and Belial? What does a believer have in common with an unbeliever? What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: "I will live with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be my people.” Therefore come out from them and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you.” “I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty. “Since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God (2 Corinthians 6:14 – 7:1 NIV).

To exercise discrimination and careful selection of the foods you eat is the physical practice (in obedience to the law) which teaches you to discriminate and be selective, to choose wisely and refrain from carnal, worldly, banal and common, unholy worldliness; both physically and spiritually (mentally).

By avoiding unclean meat, even when unclean meat is only touching clean meats, teaches us to avoid touching the pollutants, paganism, unholiness and worthlessness of the world, especially when these things confront the righteousness and true worship of God. God will not accept sloven, apathetic, careless people.

We are to cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, to purify ourselves from everything that contaminates (our) body and spirit. It is our responsibility, with the help of God’s Holy Spirit in us, in our temple, to actively pursue holiness, cleansing ourselves from all filthiness.

To avoid unclean meat teaches us to spiritually touch no unclean thing.

To avoid unclean meat should not be at all hard to do. It takes discipline, character, desire and vigilance. It takes effort and careful consideration. It takes your effort as obedient children, not fashioning yourself according to the former lusts of your flesh in your ignorance.

In the past, in your former lusts, you would eat anything (or almost) because you were not taught to discriminate, to distinguish. Now you know better.

Is it OK to take the bacon off the beef and eat the beef?

Why not simply ask, “Does that come with bacon,” even before you order it?  Why not simply discriminate; why not simply avoid the bacon in the first place?

Separate the pig from the beef, before it gets to your plate. How hard is that? Why not stand up and make a choice before the steak comes to your table? And if the restaurant menu deceives you, make a stand and say, “No way; that’s not what I ordered.” You are under no obligation to eat or to pay for what you did not order.

What does righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? What harmony is there between Christ and Belial? What does a believer have in common with an unbeliever? What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols? Be ye separate and touch not the unclean thing.

This admonition, this principle reveals that the bacon should not be touching the steak in the first place. When unclean touches clean, compromise has occurred. Pollution is already manifested; the clean becomes unclean.

Some individuals have argued, “Well if I take the bacon off the filet, I’m not eating the pig. Why should I let a perfectly good piece of expensive steak go to waste?”

Physically, and from man’s wisdom, that statement is true. The carnal mind would not let the beef go to waste. However, physically speaking, the clean has touched the unclean. Cross-contamination has already physically occurred.

This physical reality teaches us that spiritually, unclean has no place with the clean, no matter the cost.

Notice what we can learn from Ezekiel. Would Ezekiel have let the filet go to waste?

Consider Ezekiel 4:9-17.  Take thou also unto thee wheat, and barley, and beans, and lentils, and millet, and fitches, and put them in one vessel, and make thee bread thereof, according to the number of the days that thou shalt lie upon thy side, three hundred and ninety days shalt thou eat thereof. And thy meat (grain) which thou shalt eat shall be by weight, twenty shekels a day: from time to time shalt thou eat it. Thou shalt drink also water by measure, the sixth part of an hin: from time to time shalt thou drink. And thou shalt eat it as barley cakes, and thou shalt bake it with dung that cometh out of man, in their sight. And the LORD said, even thus shall the children of Israel eat their defiled bread among the Gentiles, whither I will drive them. Then said I, Ah Lord GOD! behold, my soul hath not been polluted: for from my youth up even till now have I not eaten of that which dieth of itself, or is torn in pieces; neither came there abominable flesh into my mouth. Then he said unto me, Lo, I have given thee cow's dung for man's dung, and thou shalt prepare thy bread therewith. Moreover he said unto me, Son of man, behold, I will break the staff of bread in Jerusalem: and they shall eat bread by weight, and with care; and they shall drink water by measure, and with astonishment: That they may want bread and water, and be astonied one with another, and consume away for their iniquity.

Notice, God told Ezekiel to bake bread using human feces as the source of heat. Ezekiel protested; read verse 14.

Just as Peter, either of his own volition, or under inspiration of the Holy Spirit (in vision), had protested and argued with Christ (Acts 10:14), that he would not eat unclean meat; so we see here that Ezekiel argued with God. “I will not eat the unclean.” The good, clean bread was considered defiled (unholy cf. verse 13) because human feces was used to bake it. Consequently, Ezekiel did not want to eat it.

God recognized Ezekiel’s protest and relented; allowing Ezekiel to bake the bread with cow’s dung (which would have burned cleaner (straw content) and was dung that came out of a clean animal).

Ezekiel would not eat the bread, which would have been contaminated by the flame and fumes of human feces. The unclean would have touched the clean.

If Ezekiel, a prophet of God, felt he would have been polluted (unholy - defiled) because the flames and fumes of human feces lapped up and touched his bread, how do you think Ezekiel would have reacted if God told him to cook his beef with a piece of pig around it?

Ezekiel knew what was unclean and would have had no part of it. Peter knew what was unclean and would have no part of it.

The pig (which is unclean, unholy) makes the beef (which is clean, holy) unholy (unclean) simply by touching it, let alone being cooked with it.

Notice now Haggai 2:11-13. Thus says the Eternal of Hosts; ask now the priests concerning the law, saying, If one bear holy flesh in the skirt of his garment and with his skirt do touch bread, or pottage or wine or oil or any meat, shall it be holy? And the priests answered and said no. Then said Haggai, If one that is unclean by a dead body touch any of these shall it be unclean? And the priests answered and said, it shall be unclean.

The first question can be considered this way: since the man, who is carrying holy flesh (meat) for a sacrifice, is sanctified (or holy – cf. Leviticus 6:27), can that man transfer holiness to the things he touches. The answer is no. The second question then is: since a man who touches a corpse is defiled (unclean), does he transfer that defilement or uncleanness (unholiness) to other things he touches (cf. Numbers 19:11-13)? The answer is yes. The point of these two questions is sanctification or cleanness cannot be transferred, but defilement or uncleanness, unholiness can.  An example would be health is not contagious but disease is. This is the way God looks at clean verses unclean. The unclean pollutes the clean.

How rare it is for those who do righteousness and practice good works, to (if ever successful) rub off their goodness onto others? The individual (him or herself) has to want to do the good and the right things and has to want to remain that way. Each person is accountable for his own life. God deals with individual responsibility and individual salvation.

Yet how often do we see examples in this world of the ease of effort for evil and corrupt behaviors to multiply and affect others causing contamination, causing greater evil and corruption to result.  Notice what Paul said, 1 Corinthians 15:33-34 (NIV), do not be misled: bad company corrupts good character. Come back to your senses as you ought and stop sinning; for some of you are ignorant of God – I say this to your shame.

There is truth to the old adage; one bad apple spoils the whole bunch. So it is when a little pig touches the beef.

Physical laws, actual physical examples provided by the Word of God teach us tremendous spiritual lessons.

God has not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness (1 Thessalonians 4:7).  Touching the unclean thing corrupts us. You shall not degrade yourself with the unholy, with the unclean things.

You shall therefore put a difference between clean beasts and unclean, and between unclean fowl and clean: and you shall not make your souls abominable by beast or fowl or any manner of living thing that creepeth on the ground, which I have separated from you as unclean. And you shall be holy unto me: for I the Eternal am holy and have severed you from other people, that you should be mine (Leviticus 20:25-26).

God called you to be holy! Continuing in holiness is the only way you can remain His!

To avoid and not eat unclean foods is physically necessary to do. Doing so not only protects your body from being physically polluted, it also teaches you a valuable spiritual lesson.

By avoiding unclean foods, you are reminded that as part of your Godly calling, you are required to keep yourself holy and spiritually clean, separate from the pollutants of this world.

We are not to take lightly the fact that Christ lives in us, if we are truly (as the branch) connected to Him (the true vine). Our temple, in which the Spirit of God dwells, is to remain clean.

So you are confronted with a dilemma if your steak has a piece of bacon around it.  Pig is touching beef. Unclean is touching clean. Clean has now become unclean.

Is it OK to just take the bacon off your steak and proceed to ingest the beef?

This question provides a tremendous modern-day physical example which teaches us fantastic spiritual lessons.

Consider once again what we are required to do in order to maintain our spiritual temple.

“… for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you. And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty. Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God” (2 Corinthians 6:16 – 7:1).

Physically and spiritually speaking, the beef is unclean once the bacon has touched it, let alone cooked with it.

The reason we are not to eat the unclean meat (the beef filet which is now contaminated by a piece of bacon wrapped around it), is to remind us that we are not to partake of or consume the unclean things which defile us spiritually. To eat the defiled filet is to eat unclean meat.

Just as a little leaven leavens the whole lump; so too a little bacon defiles the whole filet, so too a little ham defiles the whole noodle salad, and the sausage defiles the pizza and a little bacon defiles the green beans. And the combinations continue.

We, being the clean and holy temples of God, have a responsibility to maintain holiness, perfecting holiness, avoiding uncleanness; avoiding unholy things.

Is it OK to simply take the bacon off the filet and proceed to eat the steak?

No, it is not! And the reasons are now all too obvious, physically and spiritually.

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