CQ Bible Study | More Than Meat

My doctor learned that I was an Adventist, so he shared his thoughts on the Adventist faith. The first observation he shared was what we eat, or rather what we do not eat (i.e., meat). He went on to share his dismay about that rule as it contradicted his culinary favorites.

More Than Meat

By Alexis Goring

Believe it or not, this month’s column is not about food. It’s about looking beyond what meets the eye. It’s about seeing past the rules and regulations of religion and into the heart of Christianity.

The disciple John wrote messages to the seven churches in Asia. These messages are found in the book of Revelation. John was God’s servant, and he “testified to the word of God and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, even to all that he saw” (Rev. 1:1, 2, NRSV). To the church of Ephesus, he wrote,

I know your works, your toil and your patient endurance. I know that you cannot tolerate evildoers; you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them to be false. I also know that you are enduring patiently and bearing up for the sake of my name, and that you have not grown weary. But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first (Rev. 2:2–4, NRSV).

God appreciates our worship given in spirit and truth; and He requires honest obedience to His law. However, He does not like it when we abandon our first love—our relationship with Jesus Christ.

So I’d like to ask you, Have we abandoned our first love? Are we showing people our faith according to the Bible? Or are we merely telling them about the traditional rules and regulations which come with the territory?

Beyond that, how do we reach our world in terms of sharing our faith? What picture of Adventism do people see when they get to know us or meet with us briefly? Is it a clear picture? Focused? Accurate?

What can we do to help others have a proper perspective about our faith?

More than meets the eye.

One weekday morning found me patiently waiting for the doctor to perform a routine eye exam.

At that time, eye exams were not my favorite appointment to keep. So to ease my anxiety, he would start a conversation with me as he began to examine my eyes. This technique of putting a patient at ease always worked with me. My anxiety faded into the background as I focused on the conversation and what I could contribute to the dialogue.

The conversation on this day piqued my interest, because it steered toward religion, and I saw it as a chance to witness. While I cannot remember the details of the conversation, I do remember a few main points.

My doctor learned that I was an Adventist, so he shared his thoughts on the Adventist faith. The first observation he shared was what we eat, or rather what we do not eat (i.e., meat). He went on to share his dismay about that rule as it contradicted his culinary favorites.

Before I could explain that our religion is about much more than not eating meat, he presented his admiration for the denomination, and also a firm resolve. “I’m too old to change.” Before I could voice an adept rebuttal in favor of our faith, the eye exam was over.

I left the doctor’s office thinking of all the errands I had to run, and soon the conversation slipped into the recesses of my memory.

Since then, I’ve been in other situations in which people know about our rules and guidelines, but not why we believe what we do.

Conversations I’ve witnessed usually went like this. . . .

“You Adventists,” a tour guide once chastised a crew of travelers who were journeying to an authentic Italian winery. “You don’t eat pork and you don’t drink wine.” (See Deuteronomy 14:3–9.)

“They’re wearing jewelry?” a bystander once voiced his concern about church visitors. “I’m not sure they’re Adventists.”

“She’s not wearing a lot of makeup,” a woman once observed of an interview subject on television. “She must be an Adventist.”

Other conversations revolved around how we as Adventists go to church on Saturday, not Sunday, and that we do not work or conduct business during Sabbath hours (with the exception of those in the medical field).

But I wonder how many conversations take place in various situations and meetings around the world that share why we believe?

Why do we believe?

Everyone has to answer for themselves, and their answers may vary according to their individual life experience.

Let me explain why I believe. . . .

I believe in a risen Savior who loves us more than His own life. His name is Jesus Christ.

I believe that Christ’s love for us looks past our lifestyles and straight into our hearts. Only God can discern our true motives, and only He can save us. The main idea is that all our debates over food, jewelry, and lifestyles cannot grant us access into eternity.

The Bible says in Ephesians, chapter 2 verses 8, 9, “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God—not the result of works, so that no one may boast” (Eph. 2:8, 9, NRSV).

My faith is rooted in the one true God, who saves us by grace through faith. I believe that God created humankind, that He’s been there for us since day one, and that He’s not going anywhere anytime soon.

God’s love for you is priceless, His plan for your life—flawless, and His desire to be reunited with you is why He sent His Son to die for our sins, rise again, and serve as our Mediator.

A song by Christian artist Meredith Andrews recently captivated my attention and presented a clear picture of why we as Christians believe. The following is an excerpt from the lyrics to the song, “The River.”

Everyone is broken and in need of a Savior/. . . . He invites us, Hear Him call your name/ Welcome to the river, come drink, come wade, come find your very life. . . .

As the song implies, God invites us into a relationship with Him. He beckons us to drink from the well of Living Water which can heal us from all the hurt, pain, and sorrow life in this world may bring.

I believe in Jesus Christ because only He can offer true hope to our sin-ridden human condition. When our paths become crooked, our expectations crushed, and the night of dark circumstances too long, we must remember that there is light at the end of the tunnel in this journey called life. And that light is not a freight train. It’s Jesus.

The Bible says that God’s Word is a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path (Ps. 119:105). Let’s break this down into every day realities. When you’re in darkness and electricity is available, what do you do? You turn on the light!

And when you turn on the light, what happens? You see clearly (unless of course, you need glasses).

Corrected vision.

I love glasses, not only because they’re available in a variety of beautiful frames, but because they correct my vision and help me to see clearly the everyday details of my life. When it comes to sharing our faith, isn’t that exactly what we want to do—present a clear picture of what we believe, why we believe, and most importantly Who we believe?

Sharing the gospel truth with everyone who needs to hear it (even those who already know can gain renewed hope through being reminded) should be a part of our walk with Jesus Christ.

So when people ask you what you believe, tell them! Share with them the good news according to Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, and you. Tell them about the miracles God has wrought in your life. Speak to them of a risen Savior, a most High and Sovereign God whose heart of compassion had the valor to send His Son to this earth to bridge the great divide created by sin.

Before the conversation ends, speak of why you serve God. Speak of why you believe in Jesus Christ. Speak of why you choose to remember the Sabbath day and keep it holy. Tell them why you could not live a day without Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior.

And if time is running short and you both have to go your separate ways, simply smile and say, “Jesus loves you.” Sometimes that’s all they need to hear.

These are the points people will remember. These are just a few of the words they need to hear.

A few years ago, I asked my mother about the best way to be a witness. She answered, “You do the living, and the Holy Spirit will do the convicting.”

I would like to add this one final point. In the midst of our living, if we have a chance to answer an inquiring mind as to why we believe, let’s take the opportunity to introduce the inquiring mind to our First Love, who loves us with His very life.