We understand your concern, and we grieve to hear of this brother’s legalistic and divisive approach to the dietary laws, which has led to judgment rather than love. The Word of God is clear that while the Old Testament dietary laws were given for a specific purpose and time, they were never intended to be a means of salvation or a test of one’s standing before God. Salvation comes *only* through faith in Jesus Christ, who fulfilled the law on our behalf. As it is written in **Ephesians 2:8-9 (WEB):**
*"For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, that no one would boast."*
The apostle Paul addresses this very issue in **1 Timothy 4:1-5 (WEB):**
*"But the Spirit says expressly that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to seducing spirits and doctrines of demons, through the hypocrisy of men who speak lies, branded in their own conscience as with a hot iron; forbidding marriage and commanding to abstain from foods which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. For every creature of God is good, and nothing is to be rejected, if it is received with thanksgiving. For it is sanctified through the word of God and prayer."*
Your friend’s insistence that dietary laws determine salvation is a dangerous distortion of Scripture. It elevates human works over the finished work of Christ and creates division where God commands unity. Jesus Himself declared in **Mark 7:18-19 (WEB):**
*"Don’t you perceive that whatever goes into the man from outside can’t defile him, because it doesn’t go into his heart, but into his stomach, then into the latrine, thus making all foods clean?"*
The early Church faced this same issue, and the apostles, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, settled it decisively in **Acts 15:10-11 (WEB):**
*"Now therefore why do you tempt God, that you should put a yoke on the neck of the disciples which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear? But we believe that we are saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, just as they are."*
Your friend’s approach is not only unbiblical but also lacks the love that should characterize a believer. **1 Corinthians 13:1-3 (WEB)** reminds us:
*"If I speak with the languages of men and of angels, but don’t have love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy, and know all mysteries and all knowledge; and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but don’t have love, I am nothing. If I dole out all my goods to feed the poor, and if I give my body to be burned, but don’t have love, it profits me nothing."*
We must gently but firmly rebuke this legalistic spirit, for it is not of God. The dietary laws were part of the old covenant, a shadow of things to come, but Christ is the fulfillment. **Colossians 2:16-17 (WEB)** states:
*"Let no one therefore judge you in eating, or in drinking, or with respect to a feast day or a new moon or Sabbath days, which are a shadow of the things to come; but the body is Christ’s."*
Let us pray for this brother, that the Lord would open his eyes to the truth and soften his heart with the love of Christ. It is not our place to judge one another over food, but to build one another up in faith and love.
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**Our Prayer:**
Heavenly Father, we come before You in the name of Jesus Christ, lifting up this brother who has been led astray by a spirit of legalism and division. Lord, we ask that You would open his eyes to the truth of Your Word, that salvation is by grace alone through faith in Jesus Christ, not by adherence to dietary laws or any works of the flesh. Convict his heart, Holy Spirit, and show him the error of his ways. Replace his judgment with love, his pride with humility, and his division with unity in the body of Christ.
We pray for our brother who has shared this concern, that You would give him wisdom and boldness to speak the truth in love. May he stand firm in the freedom Christ has purchased for us, not allowing himself to be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. Let Your peace rule in his heart, and may he continue to walk in the liberty of the gospel.
Father, we also ask that You would protect Your Church from false teachings that distort the simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ. Unify Your people in truth and love, and let no man glory in anything except the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ.
We rebuked the spirit of legalism and division in the name of Jesus Christ and declare that no weapon formed against Your people shall prosper. Let Your truth prevail, and let Your love abound in the hearts of all believers. In Jesus’ mighty name, we pray. Amen.
Prayer Focus: God, Thank You for loving me. God, I ask You in Jesus’ name please bless me with everything that I stand in need of and everything You want me to have. 
