Inner and Outer Cleansing

“Blind Pharisee, first cleanse the inside of the cup and dish, that the outside of them may be clean also.” Matt. 23:26.

The Pharisees attached great importance to appearing righteous outwardly, but within they were full of hypocrisy and unrighteousness. However, the Lord cries out with “Woe!” over that kind of cleansing.

It is also possible among us to adopt the form of doctrine and partake of an outward cleansing, while having a heart that is far from being right before God. What good does it do to remove feathers and brooches, to furnish your living room with cushionless wooden benches, or to eat at a table without a tablecloth if your heart is not right before the Lord? It is just blind Pharisaism in a new form.

“But rather give alms of such things as you have; then indeed all things are clean to you.” Luke 11:41.

When the inside is pure, then the outside will also be pure, because to the pure, all things are pure; but for those who are impure and defiled, nothing is pure. So, a person can pass judgment according to outward appearances and believe that by doing so they can peer into what is inside. But that kind of judgment bestows more honor on those who are Pharisees than those who are pure of heart.

There is appropriate behavior that everyone who professes to be God-fearing should follow. This behavior comes from God and is not dictated by outward pressure from people. It is a behavior that comes from within and is prompted by the laws of liberty.

“In like manner also, that the women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with propriety and moderation, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or costly clothing, but, which is proper for women professing godliness, with good works.” 1 Tim. 2:9-10.

If a woman takes heed to these guidelines for the Lord’s sake, in order to be an example and to adorn the doctrine of Christ, then she is on the right track. But if she takes heed to these things in order to be esteemed in the church, or so that she can point the finger and speak evil of others who do things differently, then her self-restraint is worse than being a slave of vanity.

“First cleanse the inside of the cup and the dish, that the outside of them may be clean also!”