Received with gratitude.

1 Timothy 4:1-5, But the Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons, by means of the hypocrisy of liars seared in their own conscience as with a branding iron, men who forbid marriage and advocate abstaining from foods, which God has created to be gratefully shared in by those who believe and know the truth. For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected, if it is received with gratitude; for it is sanctified by means of the word of God and prayer.

We see even more people seduced by this philosophy today. The good news of Jesus Christ is just that, and many cannot accept the simplicity of it—He has done what we could never do. He offers salvation by faith, and many can’t accept that there is nothing that we can ever to do to deserve what He freely offers. Instead of asceticism, He welcomes us to celebrate and to receive in gratitude everything that He has sanctified in all of His creation.

We give thanks in what You have done and the freedom that we have in You, Lord.