Wash Up

Here we are – – – in the final throes of flu season. 

And recently, I spotted a brochure entitled Germ Free.  When I opened it, I saw the tag line, “Clean hands are key.” 

Because hands are the most exposed part of the body, they can host thousands of germs.  Unwittingly, we go about our days touching our eyes, noses and mouths, which allow these disease-causing agents to enter our bodies.    

Once inside the body, germs breed.  They multiply and cause a negative reaction.  In order for this infection or negative reaction to occur, three things are required.  First, there must be a source.  This is a virus or bacteria that has found a surface on which to live.  Secondly, infection needs a way for germs to enter the body.  It needs a host, a susceptible person.  This is someone who is either not vaccinated or immune or who has a weakened immune system.  Lastly, an infection needs transmission, a way for the germs to move to the susceptible person.  These microbes are moved by people and/or the environment.

Handwashing, especially with soap, removes germs from the hands.  An effective handwashing routine has three stages: preparing (wet), washing and rinsing (lather, scrub and rinse) and drying (dry).  Handwashing  is one of the best ways to prevent illness and spread of infection.  It’s not just an act of good hygiene, it’s a safety precaution.

Germs can be harmful.  If we could actually see them, then naturally we wouldn’t place our hands anywhere near them.  We wouldn’t touch anything that could potentially endanger our health or well-being.  But, however, we can’t see them.  And if we don’t clean often enough or thoroughly, we risk becoming infected.

We must wash up.

So the natural, so the spiritual.

Psalm 24:3-4 says, “Who may ascend into the hill of the Lord?  or who may stand in his holy place?  He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who has not lifted up his soul to an idol, nor sworn deceitfully.”

“…He that has clean hands…”

We live in a fallen world, where things are sensual, earthly and devilish.  When we care for or tend to it, we are prone to sin sickness.  Lust.  Gluttony.  Greed.  Infection.  Wrath.  Slothfulness.  Envy.  Pride.  Contagiousness.   

Yes, as we live and labor in the earth (world) our hands will get dirty.  They will become soiled.  Unaware, we may then touch our eyes, noses and mouths – – – gates to our inner man. 

So then…in order for infection not to occur, we should be mindful of three areas where our immunity may need to be strengthened.      

First, let’s consider the source.  The heart.  What’s living there?  Out of it flows all the issues of life. 

Secondly, susceptibility.  The soul.  Do we have a weakness for things that are ungodly?  Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.    

Lastly, transmission.  The body.  What – – – or who – – – are we touching that may move us or take us away from Christ’s assignment for our lives?  Our bodies are the temples of the Holy Spirit, so we’re to glorify God in them.   

In what areas of our lives have we allowed sin to breed?

When we put our hands to the things of God, they must be clean.  Perhaps an effective spiritual handwashing routine has three stages also:

Preparing (wet) – Exodus 40:30-31 “He set the laver between the tabernacle of meeting and the altar, and put water there for washing; and Moses, Aaron, and his sons would wash their hands…”

Washing and rinsing (lather, scrub and rinse) – Ephesians 5:26 “That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word.”

Drying (dry) – I Corinthians 6:11 “…but you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God.”

We must wash up.

Ascension into the presence of God or availability to be used by Him to touch humanity is not reserved for the pastor…or his/her spouse…or the minister of music…or the leader of the prayer group…or the head elder…or the lead deacon…or the chief steward.  The faucet of faith is free-flowing and is available to whosoever will…   And when life gets messy, when we miss it, we don’t have to live with worry or fear.  If we confess, God is faithful and just to forgive us and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.    

PRINCIPLE: “Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you.”  II Corinthians 6:17