And He said to them, “Are you so lacking in understanding as well? Do you not understand that whatever goes into the person from outside cannot defile him, because it does not go into his heart, but into his stomach, and is eliminated?” (Thereby He declared all foods clean.) And He was saying, “That which comes out of the person, that is what defiles the person. For from within, out of the hearts of people, come the evil thoughts, acts of sexual immorality, thefts, murders, acts of adultery, deeds of greed, wickedness, deceit, indecent behavior, envy, slander, pride, and foolishness. All these evil things come from within and defile the person.” (Mark 7:18-23)

Therefore, no one is to act as your judge in regard to food and drink, or in respect to a festival or a new moon, or a Sabbath day— (Colossians 2:16)

This chapter explains what is clean or unclean food. Theologians insist that perfect keeping of the law could earn righteousness and eternal life. But we get a very different understanding of the law from Jesus Christ. We true Christians do not distinguish what is clean or unclean food because Jesus gave us the true interpretation of the law. The law was given to teach the Israelites about God’s plan and will.

We all know that God did not give the Israelites the law concerning sacrifices because He was hungry.

If I were hungry I would not tell you, for the world is Mine, and everything it contains. Shall I eat the flesh of bulls or drink the blood of male goats? (Psalm 50:12-13)

Clean and unclean food explains what will happen at the end. Christians will be separated from idolaters. Eating what is described as clean food does not make one clean before God.

And all the nations will be gathered before Him; and He will separate them from one another, just as the shepherd separates the sheep from the goats (Matthew 25:32)

The conditional covenant was not given for the Israelites to gain righteousness through the works of the law. It is not because Adam had failed and everyone became sinful that they could not earn righteousness by works. Even Adam failed. So what does this teach us? Many misinterpret the doctrine of Total Depravity.

Adam was never given a condition to fulfill to gain eternal life. However, that is what theologians teach people. We must understand that Christ’s teaching is the only orthodox teaching of the law. There was no such thing as the Covenant of Works. Christ or Adam did not need to keep the law perfectly to gain eternal life or become righteous. We must focus on the new covenant and what it promises. Then we can understand the Old Testament.

Offer God a sacrifice of thanksgiving and pay your vows to the Most High (Psalm 50:14)

How can we thank God if we do not know Him or what He has done and will do? Only Christ (Word) opens our eyes and ears and makes us know and understand the Father through the Holy Spirit. That is why reading the Bible is essential in Christians’ everyday life.

No one has seen God at any time; God the only Son, who is in the arms of the Father, He has explained Him. (John 1:18)

No human including Adam deserves rewards from God for their works. Everything described in the Bible has happened for us to love and wait for God and His kingdom.

Your kingdom come. Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. (Matthew 6:10)