Clean Hands!

In these days of COVID-19, we’re all much more aware of our need to maintain good hygienic practices, especially the proper washing of our hands. And, not only are we washing our hands more often and for longer periods of time, but we now have hand sanitizer wherever we look. Just a little pump here and there and we’re trusting that our hands will be free from the virus that might infect us or someone within our circle of contacts and relationships. Over these past few months, we’ve been reminded of the importance of having clean hands.

In 1778, John Wesley stated in one of his sermons, “cleanliness is next to godliness.”  It became a phrase that was so often quoted in Christian circles that many people began to believe that it was a verse from the Bible (which it is not!). That phrase became a reminder of the importance of good hygiene, especially in a time when disease was much more easily spread than it is today because of a lack of scientific understanding and a lack of proper practices like handwashing. Especially among Christians a great emphasis was placed upon cleanliness, even as they battled other vices in society like prostitution and alcohol.

What we ought not miss in all of this, however, is the importance of not just physical cleanliness but also, and even more so, of godliness. In fact, in the Old Testament clean hands is a metaphor for living a life of purity and righteousness before God. Job said, “…the righteous will hold to their ways, and those with clean hands will grow stronger.” (Job 17:9 – NIV) In Genesis 20, King Abimelek says, “I have done this with a clear conscience and clean hands.” (Genesis 20:5 – NIV) The Psalmist wrote, “Who may ascend the mountain of the Lord? Who may stand in his holy place? The one who has clean hands and a pure heart….” (Psalm 24:3-4 – NIV).

As important as it is to wash our hands properly and use hand sanitizer when necessary, how much more important it is that our lives would be marked by godliness, righteousness, and a purity that can metaphorically be referred to as “clean hands”—both for the sake of our relationship with God and our relationships with one another. I hope that my life and yours would be such that both God and those around us would be able to refer to each of us as a man or woman with “clean hands and pure heart.” 

So, let’s keep on washing our hands. But, even more so, let’s ask the Lord to help us to live lives of godliness. Let’s be people who have clean hands!

Have a great day!

Pastor Tim Harris