Is cleanliness next to godliness?

[Lanolin]

I used a little history and eight different books of Scripture to zero in on the crux of the of the “saying” at issue.
Jesus said it best when He stated in Matthew,
[16] And Jesus said, Are ye also yet without understanding?
[17] Do not ye yet understand, that whatsoever entereth in at the mouth goeth into the belly, and is cast out into the draught?
[18] But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man.
[19] For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies:
[20] These are the things which defile a man: but to eat with unwashen hands defileth not a man.

Well cleanliness does start from the inside out. We can only be clean if we have the holy spirit dwelling within us. I dont think anyones debating that. I think Jesus was having a hard time explaining to some very OCD pharisees what it really means to be clean.

 

[Sipsey]

Well the tabernacle or temple actually had three parts to it, the outer court, the inner court, and the holy of holies right in the centre. So it seems the Israelites were cogniszant of how important it was to be holy from the inside out ..and very few could really approach it, only the high priest once a year.

Its a misnomer to say that they only saw the outside appearance of the temple without understanding how important what was going on inside, behind the veil. The thing was later on when the glory of the Lord departed and it was ichabod...people still went to the temple and APPEARED to worship Him, but actually nothing was there, it had become an empty shell. Still maybe clean and beautiful looking on the outside, but actually not on the inside, especially when idols got set up in there.

Well cleanliness does start from the inside out. We can only be clean if we have the holy spirit dwelling within us. I dont think anyones debating that. I think Jesus was having a hard time explaining to some very OCD pharisees what it really means to be clean.

It seems a rather simple idea, that ones heart and mind determines his standing with God. If ones thoughts and heart have not been cleansed, by God, then no amount of water or ritual can do so.

 

[Guojing]

I feel certain that what we do in the physical realm affects the spiritual realm in ways that would amaze us if we could see what was happening in that realm.

Yet, Jesus said in John 3:6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.

 

[Lanolin]

It seems a rather simple idea, that ones heart and mind determines his standing with God. If ones thoughts and heart have not been cleansed, by God, then no amount of water or ritual can do so.

Would you agree if we look in say a house, that the heart of the home is the kitchen, so if the kitchen is not clean, then everything else will not be clean. No amount of washing the windows will make that home clean if the kitchen is a cesspool and full of rats.

 

[Sipsey]

Would you agree if we look in say a house, that the heart of the home is the kitchen, so if the kitchen is not clean, then everything else will not be clean. No amount of washing the windows will make that home clean if the kitchen is a cesspool and full of rats.

Pick any room you want, a little levin, dirties the whole thing. That’s why we need a Savior, and His name is Jesus. He saves us from ourselves, He’s better than Mr. Clean! Our notion of clean is quite different than His, God is perfect and His standard requires justice be satisfied, and it is in the person of Christ. He alone offers the cleansing we need!

 

[Lanolin]

Pick any room you want, a little levin, dirties the whole thing. That’s why we need a Savior, and His name is Jesus. He saves us from ourselves, He’s better than Mr. Clean! Our notion of clean is quite different than His, God is perfect and His standard requires justice be satisfied, and it is in the person of Christ. He alone offers the cleansing we need!

Yea its really hard to clean every speck and then need to do it all over again cos nothing STAYS clean. I mean how OCD would people have to be.
The interesting thing about the holy spirit, is he kind of operates like a water fountain, fresh water is always arising. Or like a mighty rushing wind...or a fresh breeze always blowing the dust away.

Maybe heres the difference. Like...you take a cheap man made poly jumper/jersey, and when you wash a few times it starts getting little lintballs and pills. But if you take a quality wool jumper/jersey and wash it with every wash it stays clean and soft.

So I reckon there must be some secret ingredient thats in Jesus blood that somehow miraculously transforms us. Not only that, there must be some kind of oil that repels dirt in his anointing.

 

[Guojing]

So I reckon there must be some secret ingredient thats in Jesus blood that somehow miraculously transforms us. Not only that, there must be some kind of oil that repels dirt in his anointing.

What do you think was the secret ingredient in Adam's disobedience that also miraculously transformed all his descendants into having the sinful nature?

 

[Craden319]

A man can get clean by the power of God but if that Man doesn't fill himself with more Jesus and gets empty, those things that caused uncleanliness can return if your house is empty, the word, prayer, and resting in Gods presence are so important, being clean is us allowing God to cleans us from garbage, and godliness is seeking to be filled with more of His spirit and power and walking in it with Jesus leading the way and His way before God rightly. Jesus gives us an example to live by, the disciples would go looking for him, and he's off alone with God, getting filled with power !! True faith equals action, we have an enemy and your a target of His, we mustn't allow former demons or strongholds gets us again by slacking off and living our way, there's power and strength living it Gods way. It's not enough to get clean and put in order, our houses( our body the temple of God) must be filled with Jesus.
““When an unclean spirit goes out of a man, he goes through dry places, seeking rest, and finds none. Then he says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came.’ And when he comes, he finds it empty, swept, and put in order. Then he goes and takes with him seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter and dwell there; and the last state of that man is worse than the first. So shall it also be with this wicked generation.””
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭12:43-45‬ ‭

 

[Sipsey]

Indeed, I did a study once that seemed to imply that our soul is in a state of “vacuum”, or negative pressure. It “will” be “filled” daily by something, either the things of this world, or the things of our Father. We must choose wisely and often what we bring into our inner self.

Our thinking seems to bey key, if we bring into remembrance the “mind of Christ” then we seem to be able to better repel the evil that abounds. As Proverbs states, "As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he;"

 

[Sipsey]

What do you think was the secret ingredient in Adam's disobedience that also miraculously transformed all his descendants into having the sinful nature?

“If” Adam had a choice, and I believe He did, then it seems to imply that we are equally endowed with the same freedom and the same decisions.

I’ve heard and read where people say, “ God is not fair to punish me, for the sins of another.” They imply they would “never” have made a wrong decision like Adam. I smile and ask for a little more forgiveness, I know my imperfections, and those of my fellow man. We all are incapable of meeting Gods standards, when left to ourselves.

The Angels had to choose and so do we. Today many celebrate a risen Savior; as He said to Peter, we will answer when He asked, “Who do you say I am?”

 

[Lanolin]

Indeed, I did a study once that seemed to imply that our soul is in a state of “vacuum”, or negative pressure. It “will” be “filled” daily by something, either the things of this world, or the things of our Father. We must choose wisely and often what we bring into our inner self.

Our thinking seems to bey key, if we bring into remembrance the “mind of Christ” then we seem to be able to better repel the evil that abounds. As Proverbs states, "As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he;"

They say garbage in, garbage out. The way to prevent it is to stop letting garbage in.

 

[Lanolin]

What do you think was the secret ingredient in Adam's disobedience that also miraculously transformed all his descendants into having the sinful nature?

I dont know, your question doesnt make much sense to me, but what comes to mind is dust.

GOd made adam out of the dust of the earth and back to the dust he will return.

He could only become a living soul when God breathed in him. But he didnt have the holy spirit, I think back then adam and eve got all their water from the rivers flowing in the garden of eden. Dust plus water is clay. But thats just my surmise.

You tell me.

 

[Guojing]

I dont know, your question doesnt make much sense to me, but what comes to mind is dust.

GOd made adam out of the dust of the earth and back to the dust he will return.

He could only become a living soul when God breathed in him. But he didnt have the holy spirit, I think back then adam and eve got all their water from the rivers flowing in the garden of eden. Dust plus water is clay. But thats just my surmise.

You tell me.

I am basically using Romans 5:12-19 to answer your question. Jesus is the final Adam. Just as all of us received the free gift of a sinful nature from Adam's disobedience, those of us who believe in Jesus will likewise get the free gift of his righteousness.

 

[Deade]

I am basically using Romans 5:12-19 to answer your question. Jesus is the final Adam. Just as all of us received the free gift of a sinful nature from Adam's disobedience, those of us who believe in Jesus will likewise get the free gift of his righteousness.

You are right on target in Romans 5:12-19. Do any of us think man's fall was an unplanned accident in God's eyes? No, He knew the fall was inevitable and that man would need a Redeemer. Remember, Jesus is the lamb slain from the foundation of the world (Rev. 13:8).

 

[Blik]

I used a little history and eight different books of Scripture to zero in on the crux of the of the “saying” at issue.
Jesus said it best when He stated in Matthew,
[16] And Jesus said, Are ye also yet without understanding?
[17] Do not ye yet understand, that whatsoever entereth in at the mouth goeth into the belly, and is cast out into the draught?
[18] But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man.
[19] For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies:
[20] These are the things which defile a man: but to eat with unwashen hands defileth not a man.

I think it is wonderful to meet someone who truly studies the word. I also thank you for a thoughtful reply.

Have you noticed that in all things our God is a God of balance? Physical obedience only doesn't work, spiritual obedience only doesn't work.

 

[Guojing]

You are right on target in Romans 5:12-19. Do any of us think man's fall was an unplanned accident in God's eyes? No, He knew the fall was inevitable and that man would need a Redeemer. Remember, Jesus is the lamb slain from the foundation of the world (Rev. 13:8).

True, but then again we are back to the age old paradox about omniscience and free will.

Does God knowing that Adam would fall from the foundation of the world, meant Adam did not really have free choice in choosing which tree to eat from?

 

[Didymous]

Do you actually go and give these people fresh warm clothes and a shower/bath with nice smelling soap or do you just go, I'll pray for you and walk away? Then say to yourself Oh they love the lord I'll just leave them cos God looks on their hearts.

Do you?

 

[oyster67]

Hmm ok
What about washing peoples feet. JEsus did that and widows were meant to do that. Didn't someone wash Jesus feet with her hair??? How is that possible.

Many do wash each other's feet right after the Holy Communion. It signifies a spirit of humble servitude towards each other. Men wash men's feet, women wash women's. A woman dried Jesus feet with her hair. This might have signified the preparation of His body for burial?

 

[FollowHisSteps]

Where does this phrase come from, is it from the Bible?

How clean are we meant to be, and how can we stay clean. Does the Bible have any tips. Are we meant to wash everyday? What do we do with our waste?
Is being clean the same as being holy?

Self control, an ordered life, having focus, rest and peace in Christ.

Cleanliness is about the principles of following Christ, which honours others and
ourselves. Dirty things spread diseases, food poisoning. Toilets and sewage systems
stopped people dying from polluted water, and is an essential foundation to modern
living.

We take it for granted, but it keeps us as we are daily, weekly, annually etc.

So on being clean, it is about good stewardship of the thing God has given us.
No more no less. Each one can decide where that level is but it is not difficult to set.
One could set some simple principles, but we cloths smell, it is past the point of
changing, when our bodies smell, it is past the point of washing.
Washing hands after going to the toilet, 100% always.
Washing hands before cooking, handling food, 100%.

Now this is just good principles, not law. Jesus did not wash his hands before
meals, and the pharisees criticised him for this. Jesus pointed out this was not
a moral issue, so should not judge people for it.

 

[Lanolin]

Do you?

Yes of course but do you?
Was asking you first. If someone needs to desperately go to the loo, at church, we dont stop them and say oh no you not allowed. And we had all types come in.
Have given clean clothes many times to people in need. Worked in op shops. I remember as a child just having one clothes last a week, while some children changed their clothes everyday. It didnt occur to me when I was you g they were rich enough to afford to have a change of clothes, i thought maybe they just got dirtier more often. Lol.

Love is practical its not just talking about it.