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Order and Cleanliness, August 12
Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse
ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting
holiness in the fear of God.
2 Corinthians 7:1
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It is of the highest importance that Sabbathkeepers live out their faith in
every particular. They should be prompt and neat, and keep their business
matters all straight....
None should be so fearful of being like the world that it will lead them
to be careless in their houses, leaving things in disorder and uncleanness.
It is not pride to be neat in dress, cleanly in person, orderly and tasteful
in their household arrangements.... These outside appearances tell the
business character of those living in the house, and not only this but the
religious character of its inmates. It is impossible for a slack, disorderly
person to make a good Christian. Their lives, in temporal and religious
things, are just as disorderly as their dress, houses, persons, and premises.
There is order in heaven. There are rules and regulations which govern
the whole heavenly host. All move in order. All there is cleanly, all in
perfect harmony. And everyone who will be counted worthy to enter
heaven will be thoroughly disciplined and will be without spot or wrinkle
or any such thing. The uncultivated have spots and wrinkles upon them
now. They had better lose no time in commencing the work of cleansing
themselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in
the fear of the Lord.
God loves purity, cleanliness, order, and holiness. God requires all
His people who lack these qualifications to seek them and never rest until
they obtain them. They must commence the work of reform and elevate
their lives, so that in conversation and deportment their acts, their lives,
will be a continual recommendation of their faith and will have such a
winning, compelling power upon unbelievers that they will be compelled
to acknowledge that they are the children of God.
The truth as it is in Jesus will not degrade but elevate the receiver,
purify his life, refine his taste, sanctify his judgment.
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