How do I handle family meals without offending them?

"Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in the way of a brother or sister." Romans 14:13

In the Philippines, food isn't just sustenance; it is our primary love language. From vibrant barangay fiestas and birthday celebrations to the warmth of Noche Buena, our family life revolves around the dining table. But when you step out of Seventh-Day Adventism into the fullness of New Covenant grace, sitting down for a meal with your SDA family can suddenly feel like navigating a spiritual minefield. You look at a plate of lechon or gambas with a liberated conscience, while your loved ones may see it as a compromise of God’s holy standards.

Here is the liberating reality of New Covenant Theology (NCT): freedom in Christ isn't given so we can flex our rights, but so we can exercise supernatural love. Christ didn't just fulfill the ceremonial restrictions of the Mosaic Law; He empowered us with the wisdom to prioritize people over plates.

The Law of Christ Rules Over Personal Liberty

Under the Mosaic Covenant, dietary laws (Leviticus 11) served as a boundary wall setting Israel apart from surrounding nations, a ceremonial shadow pointing forward to spiritual purity in Christ. Under the New Covenant, Jesus declared all foods clean (Mark 7:19), and the Apostle Paul reaffirmed that "nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving" (1 Timothy 4:4-5). The Sinai covenant, including its dietary regulations, has been fulfilled and rendered obsolete by the Law of Christ (Galatians 6:2, Hebrews 8:13).

However, Christian liberty under the New Covenant is always governed by the Law of Love (Romans 13:8-10). In Romans 14 and 1 Corinthians 8, Paul addresses "weak" and "strong" consciences, where the "weak" conscience refers to believers still feeling bound by ceremonial restrictions. You may be completely free to enjoy pork or seafood, but if eating it right in front of your SDA parents causes them genuine distress or spiritual grief, love steps in. Voluntarily setting aside your pork chop for one meal isn't a surrender of your New Covenant freedom; it is the highest expression of it.

Cultivate Pakikisama with Reconciling Dishes

In Filipino culture, pakikisama (relational harmony) and kapwa (shared identity) are core social values. You can weave these cultural values together with gospel grace by proactively contributing to the meal. Instead of waiting to see what is served, offer to bring a generous, high-quality dish that is completely SDA-friendly.

Cook a massive platter of vegetable pancit, bring some baked bangus, or prepare a delicious chicken or beef recipe. This practical gesture sends a clear, non-verbal message: "I value our fellowship, I respect your conscience, and I want us to enjoy this meal together." You build a relational bridge across theological lines without saying a single controversial word.

Disarm Table-Side Debates with Soft Answers

In Adventist theology, Ellen G. White’s "Health Reform" vision closely links dietary abstinence to end-time sanctification, which is why your relatives view "unclean" foods through a heavy spiritual lens. If an auntie, tito, or elder points at your plate and tries to correct you, resist the urge to turn the dinner table into a theological debate floor.

The middle of a festive gathering is never the place to lecture relatives on Old versus New Covenants or the fulfillment of the Levitical code. As Proverbs 15:1 reminds us, "A soft answer turns away wrath." If questioned, de-escalate gently. You can smile and say, "I really appreciate your care for my health, Tita. Tonight, I’m just so grateful God brought our family together under one roof." Keep your focus on honoring the relationship rather than winning an argument (2 Timothy 2:23-24).

Kingdom Priorities Over Dietary Rules

New Covenant theology shifts our understanding of holiness from external rituals to internal transformation. The Old Covenant system relied on external markers like handwashings, feast days, and food restrictions. But Paul reminds us in Romans 14:17 that "the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit."

Your family will not be won over by how articulate your arguments are for New Covenant grace. They will be compelled when they see that your newfound faith makes you more patient, more humble, more forgiving, and more loving than you were before. Let the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23) be the primary dish you serve at the table.

Call to Action

The next time you pull up a chair at a family reunion or a Noche Buena feast, take a deep breath before you fill your plate. Pray to thank God for the food, but more importantly, intercede for the family sitting around that table. Ask the Holy Spirit to give you the humility to lay down your personal rights, so that your loved ones experience the gentle grace of Christ simply by being in your presence.

Scripture to Carry with You:

"So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. Do not cause anyone to stumble, whether Jews, Greeks or the church of God, even as I try to please everyone in every way. For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many, so that they may be saved." 1 Corinthians 10:31-33

Why Adventists Cannot Boast Anymore

 

Welcome back to the Former Adventists Philippines blog. Let's talk about something very real today. If you have a background in the SDA church, you are probably familiar with the claim of being the exclusive "remnant church." Often, there is a subtle, and sometimes very loud, boasting that they alone are the truly faithful ones because they strictly keep the 10 Commandments, the Sabbath day, and the Old Testament dietary laws.

But when we put this checklist up against Ephesians 2:8-9, a major issue appears. Paul tells us that salvation is a complete gift, "not by works, so that no one can boast."

That last phrase, so that no one can boast, is not a throwaway line. It's the whole point.

This Flex Is Not New

Paul wasn’t writing into a vacuum. In the first century, Jewish believers called Judaizers pressured Gentile Christians to tack on circumcision, food rules, and calendar observances: Sabbaths, new moons, festivals, as proof they were really “in.” Scholars call these “boundary markers,” visible badges that supposedly separated the “true” people of God from everyone else. Whether you lean Reformed or “New Perspective” on Paul’s phrase works of the law, both camps agree: circumcision, food laws, and holy days were the flex being used to claim insider status. That’s why Acts 15 had to settle it, and the answer was grace, not a checklist.

So when a modern group says, “We’re the true remnant because we alone keep the Sabbath and the clean/unclean food laws,” that’s not a fresh argument. It’s the Judaizer controversy replayed. Paul already answered it, in Galatians and Ephesians, and his answer was the same both times: no one gets to boast.

This Flex Is Not New

Here's something worth knowing: Paul wasn't writing into a vacuum. In the first century, a group of Jewish believers called Judaizers were pressuring Gentile Christians to add circumcision, dietary regulations, and calendar observances, Sabbaths, new moons, festivals, on top of faith in Christ, as proof that they were really "in." Scholars call these things "boundary markers", visible, checkable badges that separated the "true" people of God from everyone else. Whether you land more Reformed or more "New Perspective" on how exactly to translate Paul's phrase "works of the law," both camps agree on the historical target: circumcision, food laws, and holy days were the specific flex being used to claim insider status over other believers. That's precisely why the Jerusalem Council in Acts 15 had to settle the question, and their answer was grace, not a checklist.

So when a modern group says, "We are the true remnant because we alone keep the Sabbath and the clean/unclean food laws," that is not a new argument. It is the Judaizer controversy, replayed. Paul already answered it, twice, in Galatians and here in Ephesians, and the answer was the same both times: no one gets to boast.

The “Remnant” Flex vs. The Finished Work

Whenever a group claims spiritual superiority over the rest of the body of Christ because of what they do, they’re doing exactly what Paul warned against. God’s grace levels the playing field for everyone. Here’s how that looks when you see the shift from Old Covenant to New:

The 10 Commandments. The Old Covenant wasn’t just ten rules on stone, it was 613 commands, a full package meant to point Israel to their need for a Savior. Under the New Covenant (Jeremiah 31:31‑34), we’re under the Law of Christ (Galatians 6:2; 1 Corinthians 9:21). The Spirit writes God’s will on our hearts, not on tablets we carry around to prove loyalty. Obedience flows from a changed heart, not as a way to earn salvation.

The Sabbath Rest. For young Filipinos grinding through school, traffic, and work, real rest feels almost impossible. Scripture says the Sabbath was a shadow (Colossians 2:16‑17). Shadows point to something real, but once the substance shows up, you don’t chase the shadow. Hebrews 4:9‑11 says the true Sabbath rest is entered by faith, not by the clock. 

Old Covenant: rest after your work.

New Covenant: rest because His work is finished. Romans 14:5‑6 even calls esteeming one day above another a matter of liberty, proof that Saturday observance isn’t binding for salvation. Jesus Himself is our rest (Matthew 11:28).

Dietary Rules. In Filipino culture, lechon and adobo are staples at family gatherings. Eating healthy is wise, but claiming spiritual superiority because you avoid pork misses the gospel. Jesus declared all foods clean (Mark 7:19). Peter’s vision in Acts 10 reinforced it. Paul says the kingdom of God isn’t about eating and drinking (Romans 14:17). And 1 Timothy 4:1‑5 warns against teachings that forbid foods God created to be received with thanksgiving. That’s a sobering thought when a group builds its identity around a forbidden‑foods list.

Name That Fallacy: "No True Remnant"

This is just the classic ‘No True Scotsman’ trick. It goes like this: ‘A real remnant believer would never eat pork, miss Saturday service, or set aside the Sabbath.’ Do any of those, and boom, you’re branded ‘not a real Christian.’ Problem is, that checklist isn’t in the Bible. It’s just their own rules dressed up as holiness. Basically, they keep moving the goalposts.

But Paul’s point in Ephesians 2 is clear: God doesn’t grade us on hidden rules or secret curves. Grace, not a group’s checklist, is what evens the playing field for everyone.

Resting in His Unmerited Grace

When we boast about our law-keeping, we unintentionally belittle the cross. Grace tells us that no amount of Sabbath-keeping or dietary strictness can earn us a VIP pass to heaven. Salvation is freely available to everyone by grace through faith. Let us drop the performance mindset and fully embrace the freedom and assurance we have in Christ.

Which part of leaving behind the religious checklist mentality do you find the most challenging or freeing in your own walk with Christ today?

Galatians 3:10 and the Curse of the Law: Why You Can’t Pick and Choose?

"But those who depend on the law to make them right with God are under his curse, for the Scriptures say, “Cursed is everyone who does not observe and obey all the commands that are written in God’s Book of the Law.” Galatians 3:10(NLT)


If you grew up in a Sabbatarian or Adventist setting, you’ve probably heard this line over and over: “The ceremonial law was nailed to the cross, but the moral law, the Ten Commandments, still binds us as our rule of life.”

Sounds neat and tidy, right? But once you crack open Galatians, Apostle Paul blows that artificial split to pieces.

So let’s dig into Galatians 3:10, unpack what Paul really meant by the “curse of the Law,” revisit a surprising chapter in Adventist history, and uncover the real freedom we’re given under the New Covenant.

The Historical Irony: Even Ellen G. White Had to Admit It

Back in the 1888 Minneapolis General Conference, the Adventist Church went through a full‑blown theological showdown. Uriah Smith and other leaders pushed the idea that the “law” in Galatians was only the ceremonial law. Why? Because if Paul meant the moral law, their whole Sabbath doctrine would collapse.

But E.J. Waggoner and A.T. Jones fired back, arguing that Paul’s “law” included the moral law too. And here’s the twist: even Ellen G. White eventually had to concede. She wrote that the law in Galatians covers both ceremonial and moral, pointing out that the law which drives us to Christ includes commands like “Thou shalt not covet.”

Why does this matter? Because if Adventist history itself admits that the moral law is wrapped up in Paul’s argument, then you can’t just carve out the Ten Commandments from Galatians 3:10.

All or Nothing: The Law’s Total Demand

Check out Paul’s words in Galatians 3:10:

“Cursed is everyone who does not continue in all things written in the book of the law, to do them.”

Paul is quoting Deuteronomy 27:26, and he stresses two key words: continue and all.

• Continue → nonstop, lifelong, 24/7 obedience.

• All → every single detail. Not 9 out of 10. Not 90%. It’s 100% or nothing.

Here’s the blunt truth: the Law is one package deal. You can’t cherry‑pick the parts you like (Sabbath, dietary law, tithing, etc.) and ignore the rest.

If you choose the Law, whether moral or ceremonial, as your standard for righteousness before God, then you’re bound to keep every single command perfectly. Has anyone ever kept the Ten Commandments flawlessly in thought, word, and deed every second of their life? Not one.

That’s why Paul says: if you put yourself under the Law, you don’t get partial blessing; you fall under its full curse.

What Does “Schoolmaster” (Paidagōgos) Really Mean?

In Galatians 3:24, Paul says the Law was our “schoolmaster” or “tutor.” A lot of people take that to mean, “Oh, so the Ten Commandments are our daily teacher, showing us how to live!”

But that’s not what Paul meant. The Greek word he used, paidagōgos, had a very specific meaning in ancient culture.

A paidagōgos wasn’t the classroom teacher or principal. It was a strict household servant, basically a tough guardian or “babysitter.” Their job was to:

• Keep the child in line and disciplined.

• Escort the child safely to the real teacher.

• Watch over the child until they mature.

Once the child grew up and reached the teacher, the guardian’s job was done. The child was free.

That’s exactly Paul’s point in Galatians 3:25: “After faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian.”

The Sinai Covenant, with all its moral and ceremonial rules, acted like a temporary guardian for Israel. Its purpose was to expose sin, humble us, and lead us straight to Jesus. But once faith in Christ came, the guardian’s season ended.

Does “No Longer Under the Law” Mean We Can Sin?

Every time you talk about freedom in Christ, someone always asks, “Wait, if we’re no longer under the Ten Commandments, does that mean we can lie, steal, or commit adultery?”

Of course not! That’s one of the biggest misunderstandings about New Covenant theology.

Think of it like growing up: When you were a kid, your nanny would yell, “Don’t cross the street or you’ll get hit by a car!” You obeyed because you were scared and needed strict rules.

But when you become an adult, you don’t need someone shouting behind you anymore. Does that mean you’ll just run into traffic? No, you’ve matured. You understand the danger and act wisely.

That’s how it works under the New Covenant. Christ didn’t just free us halfway; He completely redeemed us from the curse of the Law by becoming a curse for us (Galatians 3:13).

We don’t avoid sin today because we fear thunder and lightning from Mount Sinai. We obey because the Holy Spirit lives in us. God’s Law is now written on our hearts (Hebrews 8:10).

"But this is the new covenant I will make with the people of Israel on that day, says the LORD: I will put my laws in their minds, and I will write them on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people. And they will not need to teach their neighbors, nor will they need to teach their relatives, saying, ‘You should know the LORD.’ For everyone, from the least to the greatest, will know me already. And I will forgive their wickedness, and I will never again remember their sins.” When God speaks of a “new” covenant, it means he has made the first one obsolete. It is now out of date and will soon disappear." Hebrews 8:10-13(NLT)

And under the Law of Christ (Galatians 6:2), the standard is actually higher:

• Old Covenant (Letter): Don’t murder.

• New Covenant (Heart): Don’t even hate.

Our obedience isn’t driven by fear; it’s powered by love and gratitude for what Jesus already finished. We don’t look to stone tablets for identity or salvation; we look to the living Christ Himself.

Call to Action: Step Out of Legalism

Stop letting legalistic systems trap you in a “pick‑and‑choose” relationship with the Law. The Law is holy and good, but it was never meant to save you. Its real job was to show you how much you need a Savior.

If you’re still relying on rule‑keeping, Sabbath observance, or your own moral effort to stay right with God, you’re carrying a burden you were never meant to bear.

It’s time to step out from under that old guardian and rest fully in Jesus Christ. He took the full curse of your law‑breaking so you could receive the full blessing of Abraham, by faith, not by works.

So walk in that freedom today. Stop striving. Start resting. Christ has already finished the work.

“Christ Carried the Curse, You Carry the Blessing”

"How do the worship practices of Seventh‑day Adventists parallel the rebellious patterns of ancient Israel?"

If we look closely at the history of the Israelites in the Bible, it's honestly like looking in a mirror at the modern theological struggles of Seventh-day Adventism (SDA). Here in the Philippines, we have this beautiful, strong culture of pamana (inheritance) and tradisyon (tradition). We naturally love holding onto things passed down from our ancestors, but sometimes we hold onto outdated systems even when a massively upgraded version is right in front of us. In many ways, this is exactly what happened to ancient Israel, and it is the exact same trap SDA theology falls into today.

Let’s break down how the SDA errors of legalism, Sabbath obsession, and diluting the Messiah's grace are essentially repeats of Israel’s classic rebellions.

The Legalism Trap: Choosing Mount Sinai Over Mount ZionWhen God brought Israel out of Egypt, they stood at the foot of Mount Sinai and confidently declared, "All that the Lord has spoken we will do!" (Exodus 19:8). But they instantly failed. Why? Because the Old Covenant law was designed to expose their sin, not to save them. Instead of looking forward to a Savior, they rebelled by turning their relationship with God into a strict, fear-based performance checklist.

SDA theology does the exact same thing by insisting that believers are still bound by the Ten Commandments as the ultimate standard for living and worship. From a New Covenant Theology perspective, this is a massive step backwards. New Testament scholar Thomas Schreiner points out in his review of New Covenant Theology that "the Mosaic Covenant ended with the coming of Christ" and that "the Sabbath is no longer binding upon believers".

When Adventism pushes for Old Covenant rule-keeping, they fall into the same error the Galatians did. As theologian Scot McKnight explains in his commentary on Galatians, "Legalism... was a religious system that combined Christianity with Mosaism in a way that demanded total commitment to Israel's law as the climax of one's conversion to Christ," which completely subverts the adequacy of Christ's work. Just like the Israelites, trying to earn or maintain God's favor through legalism always leads to spiritual rebellion against His grace.

The Sabbath Obsession: Missing the True Promised RestThe story of Israel in the wilderness is heartbreaking. Because of their continuous complaining and unbelief, especially at the waters of Meribah, God swore they would never enter His promised rest (Psalm 95:11; Hebrews 3:8-11). They completely missed the entire point of what God was freely offering them.

Today, SDAs make Saturday Sabbath-keeping the absolute litmus test for true faith, totally missing the New Covenant reality that the physical Sabbath was just a temporary shadow. The actual substance is Christ Himself (Colossians 2:16-17). Pastor David Guzik brilliantly explains in his commentary on Hebrews 4 that "the rest Jesus offers is far greater than the physical rest Israel failed to claim in Canaan, it's a spiritual rest patterned after God's own rest, where we cease from self-justifying works and trust entirely in Christ's finished work".

By insisting that true worship only happens on a Saturday, SDAs are basically choosing to camp out in the dry Sinai wilderness. Theologian Dr. Kim Riddlebarger notes that to fall back into these old ways is to repeat the rebellion at Meribah, but with "far greater" consequences because we are rejecting the "greater promises of the new covenant". Hugging the shadow means you are entirely missing the actual Savior standing right in front of you.

Rejecting the True Messiah: The "Investigative Judgment" vs. Free GraceIn the first century, many Israelites ultimately rejected Jesus because He didn't fit their mold. They wanted a Messiah who would fiercely enforce their traditions and strictly uphold their law-keeping system. When Jesus offered a New Covenant based on completely free salvation by grace, they stumbled over it (Romans 9:31-33).
"But the people of Israel, who pursued the law as the way of righteousness, have not attained their goal. Why not? Because they pursued it not by faith but as if it were by works. They stumbled over the stumbling stone. As it is written: “See, I lay in Zion a stone that causes people to stumble and a rock that makes them fall, and the one who believes in him will never be put to shame.” Romans 9:31-33(NIV)While SDAs definitely claim Jesus as their Savior, their unique, foundational doctrine of the "Investigative Judgment" functionally waters down His finished work. This doctrine claims Jesus is currently reviewing your life records in heaven to see if your ongoing law-keeping (especially Sabbath observance) is good enough for you to maintain your salvation. From the biblical perspective, this is a tragic misunderstanding of the gospel. Salvation is 100% a free gift received by faith, not a conditional status we maintain by our own sweat, tears, and rule-keeping.

In our Filipino culture, we absolutely hate the feeling of "may utang" (being in debt), so our natural instinct is to try and pay God back with our good works. But when a theological system adds human performance to Christ's shed blood, it subtly rejects the true Messiah. It is basically saying the cross wasn't enough to secure us.

Comparison Guide: Ancient Israel vs. Modern SDA ErrorsTo make this super clear, here is a quick comparison chart showing how these historical errors directly parallel each other, backed up by the Bible:

The Bottom LineWe have to learn from the tragic mistakes of ancient Israel. True worship under the New Covenant isn't about running back to the old, obsolete, and heavy ways of Mount Sinai. It is about confidently resting in the finished, completely sufficient work of Jesus Christ. Let's drop the heavy baggage of legalism and fully embrace the massive freedom we have in His grace!