Be Ye Holy

Francis Bacon (1605) seems to be the first to have coined the phrase “cleanliness is next to Godliness” in his writing in Advancement of Learning.  His actual words, were, “Cleanness of body was ever deemed to proceed from a due reverence to God." I know lots of mamas and grand mamas who have taken that phrase for true gospel!

One command of God quite comprehensive is, “be holy, for I am holy.” (Leviticus 11:45).  The Hebrew word for “holy” means “set apart,” and carries the sense of being undefiled and pure.  Hey, we’re so serious about clean hands we carry hand sanitizer in our purses and on our key chains.  Why then do we neglect that which is pure Truth (God’s Word)?  Ignore He Who empowers us unto righteous living (Holy Spirit)?  Quite simply and with candor: those who profess Christ are called to holy living.  It’s is a command, not a suggestion!  Holy living – yes, it’s a tough-go and hard work!  Lives left spiritually unchecked easily and quite naturally become unbalanced with sin the heavier.  Peter wrote, “Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind …” (1 Peter 1:13).  Paul wrote, “be transformed by the renewal of your mind.” (Romans 12:2).  Do you see how sinful thoughts are the natural bane (curse, blight, nuisance) to holiness!  That’s why Paul wrote, “Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.” (2 Corinthians 10:5)  Every thought captured, and Christ its Master!  Cleanliness, as it pertains to the carnal-mindedness of man, is good Bible.  Not sure it’s what Bacon actually meant, but cleanliness of mind and heart is key to holy living.  Be in The Word and Be ye holy!