Sanctification

BODILY CLEANLINESS

It may be thought by some, that this point is foreign to the subject. But its bearing on the subject will be readily seen, if it can be shown that bodily cleanliness is a duty enjoined by the Lord on his people. Now this is shown by the following New Testament scriptures: “But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints..... For this ye know that no whoremonger nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.” Ephesians 5:3, 5, 6. “Let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh.” 2 Corinthians 6:1. “For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness.” 1 Thessalonians 4:7. “Wherefore lay apart all filthiness.” James 1:19. SLH 72.2

Again, when God separated the children of Israel from other nations that they might be a holy people unto himself, he enjoined upon them physical cleanliness, by enacting and enforcing certain laws on diet and on physical purifications. By these laws the Israelites were commanded to wash their bodies and their garments when they had become unclean, and were made to see the propriety of keeping their persons, their garments and their dwellings clean. And they saw the importance of being clean when they appeared before the Lord. Now God cannot be less particular with us in this respect than he was with his ancient people. He is as pure and holy now as he was then, and requires his people to be pure and clean in body as well as in mind. SLH 72.3

God’s requisitions respecting bodily cleanliness, are not merely arbitrary, but are grounded on reasons connected with health, self-respect, respect for our fellow-creatures, and respect and reverence for the Creator. SLH 73.1

To attend to bodily cleanliness by washing the body and its garments occasionally, is highly conducive to health. Filthiness genders disease and corruption. Many diseases are caused by suffering the pores of the skin to be clogged with filth and dirt. When the pores are thus clogged they fail to do their work, viz., to throw off by perspiration, impurities which would remain in the system and eventually injure the body, by hindering the circulation of the blood and producing various diseases. But let the body be washed with pure water, and with proper exercise, the pores will fulfill their function, the circulation of the blood will be helped, and nature will be more apt to keep off disease. SLH 73.2

But to keep our bodies pure, we must not only wash the body and its garments; we must divest ourselves of all impure physical habits, and see to it that we eat clean food, and breathe pure air, and that our dwellings and all that pertains to them, be kept clean; and healthy results will follow. Thus we see that cleanliness should be attended to as a matter of self-preservation. SLH 73.3

To attend to cleanliness evinces self-respect and respect for others. By neglecting cleanliness, we show a lack of respect for our own persons, and for those with whom we associate, and dishonor the Creator. SLH 73.4

Lovers of purity cannot look with complacency upon persons of filthy habits, neither can they fully delight themselves in their society. And will the Holy Spirit and good angels approbate and delight to abide with filthy persons? When persons who love taste and purity expect a visit from those whom they respect, how natural it is for them to clean up, that they may be in a condition to receive them. So should we purify our bodies as well as our minds, that we may be in readiness to receive the Holy Spirit and the ministration of good angels, and to worship the Lord with his saints. SLH 74.1

Nature itself teaches us that we should keep our persons clean. Even individuals of unclean habits, who have not entirely lost their fine feelings and sense of propriety, will appear ashamed when they fall in with the clean and tidy unawares. And how would they feel if they were introduced into the presence of the pure in Heaven. Yet known to the Lord is the condition of all; for all things are naked and opened to the eyes of Him with whom we have to do. SLH 74.2

Real filthy persons are unrefined in their taste for, and discernment of, spiritual things, and cannot fully appreciate the pure and elevating truths of God’s word unless they reform by addicting themselves to clean and refined physical habits. And though we may to a certain degree attend to physical purity without being pure in heart, yet we cannot be said to be wholly sanctified if we neglect bodily cleanliness. SLH 74.3