There is an old saying often heard a generation or two ago: “Cleanliness is next to godliness!” If applied to one’s spiritual life, there may be something to it, but most often it was understood to apply to the physical body. Maybe that was due to the weekly bathing most did due to a lack of running water, especially hot water.
As the idea applies to the body, I
never did believe the old saying was true. However, there is much to be said of it when one applies it to the spiritual life.
Sin is always represented as vile, filthy, reprehensible, etc. Even the goodness of natural man is that way in God’s sight. Notice His estimation of man’s righteousness in Isaiah 64:6,
“But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.”
On the other hand, true righteousness is represented as cleanliness. It is here that the old saying finds its true meaning. As the Lord chastened His people through the prophet Isaiah, He admonished: “Wash you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes; cease to do evil; learn to do well; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow.” Isa. 1:16-17.
In New Testament times when Jesus was rebuffed because His disciples were eating without washing their hands, He taught quite plainly that it was not that which entered the body that defiles a man, but what came out of it. Matt. 15:11, 20.
It should also be noted that the apostle Paul explained to the church at Ephesus that His church was so loved by Jesus. He loved it enough that He gave Himself for it; that He might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word. Eph. 525-26.
The apostle James doubled down on this great truth by stating ,”. . . cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.” James 4:8. Those words were presented here as the essential action for one to be close to God. He introduced the idea by saying, “Draw nigh to God, and He wil draw nigh to you. . . “
Obviously, it is essential for every person to repent of sin, and trust the Lord Jesus Christ as the only personal Savior, but perhaps the appeal is most often written to God’s own people to encourage them to enter the strait gate and walk in the narrow way. How that is done is pointedly revealed by the ancient psalmist in Psalm 119:9, “Wherewithal shal a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy Word.”
Truly, a clean body smells better than a dirty one, and it is often essential to good health.
But cleanliness next to godliness must reference the very heart to be realized as true.
FOR THOUGHT: Did you notice that several different words are used to mean the same thing?
“Wash,” “Cleanse,” “Purify” are all directed to make one’s way (life) pleasing to God. Have these things been applied to you life? List some changes they have made.
NOT THE AGE OF AQUARIUS, BUT OF PHARMACY
“Pharmacy” is transliterated from the ancient Greek language (taken bodily from one language to another). There it appears as “pharmakeia.” It means the dispensing and use of drugs, but mainly in a bad sense. In both Old and New Testaments, this term, and its Hebrew equivalent “kashaph” are translated in English as “witchcraft(s) and sorcery.” It is a practice that plays a major role in the lives of men as the age comes to a close. This idea is not to be taken as an accusation of evil toward legitimate pharmacies whose purpose is to aid in the treatment of the ills and pains of men in their physical infirmities. But it denotes the ages-long abuse and misuse of drugs in what is called recreational, and mind altering abuse. Moreover, the Biblical terms “witchcraft” and “sorcery” have definite metaphorical denotations in their usage throughout history.
Sometimes a drug is a physical substance. Sometimes it is a strong line of falsehoods meant to alter the thinking from that which is ultimately true, especially the Word of God. In ancient times idolaters used both. They used physical drugs as they knew them, but the aim and purpose was to captivate, and alter the minds of men with forms of doctrine and ceremonies that originated in hell itself. Why did this happen, and why does it continue to happen? It is as old as good and evil, God and Satan. It is Satan’s design and purpose to destroy the very images of Almighty God (people) as much as possible. He is the destroyer, and that must not be forgotten.
The apostle Paul named “Pharmakeia,” translated “witchcraft,” as a work of the sinful flesh in Galatians 5:20. Additionally, as the false religious systems of the world, termed metaphorically as Babylon, are destroyed, their just and righteous charge among several other things is the practice and dissemination of (pharmakeia). sorceries, Revelation 18:23. It is by these things that false religion has been drunk with the blood of God’s people from the death of righteous Abel, to the prophets, and onward to New Testament times. Presently, the explosion of “Pharmakeia” in literal and metaphorical senses is bringing about the destruction of myriad lives, this nation, and the world at large. It is imperative then to the wellbeing of every person to have the firsthand, knowledgeable standing place. If it is deemed wise to avoid the literal
“Pharmakeia,” it is many times more wise to avoid the metaphorical “Pharmakeia.” It is the inerrant, infallible Word of God, and not the word of religious men or the alignment of stars that offers the only acceptable alternative. How dare anyone to let it collect dust in their homes and lives.
Let those with ears to hear, hear the admonition to abandon the drunken course of this world and its influence on eternal verities. God offers to all sobriety, but those in “pharmakeia”
will meet the sure judgment already set forth in clear terms of Holy Writ!
FOR THOUGHT: So called “recreational drugs” are taken for their mind altering qualities, but do you think having one’s mind altered is a good thing? What happens when the alteration becomes permanent? Which do you think inflicts more damage: physical drugs or false religion altering thinking away from the Bible to please humanistic mindsets?
OH, I BELIEVE THERE ARE ANGELS AMONG US
A few years ago, a popular religious song carried the line of this title in its lyrics. The words went on to say….. sent down to us from somewhere up above. To be sure, there are angels among us. I do not refer to saintly mothers, darling children, or that those become angels upon physical death. Rather reference is made to the myriad of intellectual, spiritual creatures made by the Lord for specific purposes of ministry to Him. These remain in the invisible dimension except when commissioned to visit the visible world on special errand from God.
Definitely, there is much going on in the unseen world which requires no sleep.
Just take a quick survey of angelic appearances in the past. The angel of the Lord appeared to Abraham, Hagar, Jacob, Moses, Joshua, and to the prophets Elijah, Elisha, Daniel, and to Mary and Joseph, as well as to the shepherds to announce Jesus’ birth. The angel Gabriel was dispatched from the Lord with special enlightening messages for Daniel, but an evil angel hindered his mission for several days. It was then that the Angel Michael was sent to overcome the evil angel, and allow Gabriel to fulfill his mission.
When the city of Dothan was apparently doomed by the advancing hosts of Syria, a huge amount of angels with chariots of fire appeared encircling the entire area. The Syrians were smitten with blindness, and sent home humiliated. 2 Kings 6. Then, of course, in New Testament times an angel brought Peter out of prison when he was secured both by chains and guards. An angel told Paul that he did not have to fear drowning in the shipwreck at sea.
Moreover, Paul was told that everyone on the ship would also be spared, and that he would indeed stand before Caesar. It is interesting to note that Holy Writ also declares that the angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear Him and delivers them. Psalm 34:7. Yes, indeed there are angels, very real angels among us.
But perhaps the most notable activity of angels will occur just before the end of the age.
During the great tribulation, they will sound trumpets, pour out vials of wrath, preach the everlasting gospel, etc. Much is going on behind the veil that blocks human sight. Some of these things may be seen by humans, but only with the eyes of faith as one relies heavily on the ingested Word of God. How truly marvelous it is that there are angels among us!
FOR THOUGHT: Do you realize that guardian angels are among us, and you are never really alone? Does that give you pause about thoughts, actions, and places where you go? What are angels observing about you?
OMG: A COMMANDMENT BREAKER??
A sage once said, “People may get so heavenly minded that they are of little earthly good!” This is especially true when the intellect is disengaged in favor of whatever may be generally accepted as right. This then becomes the devil’s playground. Please think for a moment with me!
I have witnessed folks being verbally chastised for using the letters “OMG,”
understanding it means “Oh my God!” as breaking one of the ten commandments (although the letters could stand for several other expressions). This arises from an unwillingness on the part of the chastiser to bother himself to learn what is being said in the commandments.
The commandment in question is found in Exodus 20:7, “Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in Vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.” The general ASSUMPTION here is that “vain” means frivolously, flippantly, and with little to no cause. It is not the purpose of this article to approve bad language, but to emphasize that there is a distinct difference between bad language and breaking that commandment, and the truth is surprising.
There are some half dozen or so terms in the ancient Hebrew language that are translated “vain.” This English term is largely, and correctly, understood to mean “for nothing, frivolous,” but the Hebrew word in the commandment, “Shav,” is mostly used to indicate “in connection with a falsehood.” God hates a lie. The devil is the father of it. Other words are used to better indicate the English idea of “vanity.” A false witness is abhorred, and rightly so since the gateway and road of life is guarded by and dependent upon truth.
So, bad language is understood for what it is. Cursing is understood for what it is, but false information believed is deceitful, and it carries the power of condemnation. Who is it then who breaks this commandment? Not the cursing sailor or the Christian who chooses questionable expressions, but it is the false witness including a supposed minister who speaks biblically condemned doctrine as being correct in the name of God. Though it may be tangential thinking, it may be far better to hear a sailor cursing than an Osteen type minister who lies about God’s Word with a smile on his face reminiscent of a wave on a slop bucket. In case the reader feels the writer has himself gone off the deep end, it would be well to pause and read again 2
Corinthians 11:13-15. What Holy Writ contains is more than interesting!
FOR THOUGHT: Do you agree that a falsehood is in fact a lie? Does bad language which should be disdained, necessarily constitute a lie? Does a false plan of salvation spoken from a pulpit constitute a lie? Which then breaks the commandment? Does this help you to see the Bible in a more serious way?