Cleanliness is...

 

Things NOT found in the Bible, part 1

 

Series Introduction

Over the next several weeks we’re going to ask the question, “Is that in the Bible?” We’ll look at some things that people think are in the bible and then we’ll look at some things that people may not have realized are in the bible. This first group are things that you won’t find in the bible.

 

Introduction

Many statements people have made over the years they claim come from the bible; usually by saying, “That’s in the bible!” But when challenged, they couldn’t tell you where it’s found in the scriptures.

One of the things that I’ve learned, early on when I became a Christian, is to demand book, chapter, and verse for the things that we believe in. If it is in scriptures, they should be able to show you where it is.

 

Wash Your Hands

One of the first things we’re taught as children is to wash our hands before a meal. Even if we didn’t play outside, or get dirt on them, our mothers would tell us to get cleaned up before coming to the table.

Of course, if we were stubborn about it (and we usually are) we’ll challenge our mothers for a reason (always a bad thing). Mothers will usually reply with the statement, “Cleanliness is next to Godliness”.

But is that in the bible? Surely if our mothers make that statement, it must be in there. Usually, this statement would make us change our minds about washing up and we’ll go and do it. After all, God is referenced in the statement; it has to be true.

It’s not in the bible at all. The closest you’ll come to this statement is a song lyric by a band called, Smashing Pumpkins. However, let’s look at what’s actually found in the bible in regards to this scenario…

 

The Elders’ Traditions

In the New Testament, a scene is found discussing cleanliness. In Mark 7:5 it states, Then the Pharisees and scribes asked Him, “Why do Your disciples not walk according to the tradition of the elders, but eat bread with unwashed hands?” You will note the Pharisees’ statement, ‘the tradition of the elders.’ Already, you can conclude that this conversation has nothing to do with the Law of Moses; instead, it’s what the ‘learned men’ of Israel had invented. Looking at the previous four verses; you’ll read of this tradition.

Essentially, what the Pharisees are saying is that, while in the marketplace, you may have touched something that gentile has touched or brushed against someone who is a gentile or (gasp!) a Samaritan. From this, you would be considered unclean and need to “scrub up”.

 

Clean Inside and Out

Jesus’ response to this can be found in verses 6-7, He answered and said to them, “Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written: 'This people honors Me with their lips, But their heart is far from Me. And in vain they worship Me, Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.'”

In Mt. 23, known as the ‘Chapter of Woes’, Jesus calls out the pharisees and scribes; calling them hypocrites and listing their so-called doctrines. In verse 23, of Matthew, he states, “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faith. These you ought to have done, without leaving the others undone.”

The Scribes and Pharisees were more concerned about outward appearances, and traditions, that they ignored the matters of the Law; which was to be well-known to them (Deut. 6:4-9).

 

Conclusion

As Paul wrote in Colossians 2:8, Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ.

I’m not stating that you should challenge your mother in her statement to you, but to make sure that do things according to scripture and not according to the traditions of men.