The Psalmist asks: "Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord? or who shall stand in His holy place?" The answer: "He that hath clean HANDS and a pure heart" (Psalm 24:3,4).

Sin has defiled the entire man and all that he does. So far as God is concerned, "there is none that doeth good, no, not one" (Romans 3:12). Pilate thought that the washing of His HANDS in water before the crowd that clamored for the death of Christ could purge him from his guilt of delivering Him to be crucified (Matthew 27:24). How wrong he was! Sin is purged only by the blood of the Lamb of God: "The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from ALL sin" (1 John 1:7).

In Old Testament typology, the blood of the ram slain for Aaron and his sons was used to consecrate them to their service in the priesthood. The blood was put on the right ear, the thumb of the right HAND, and upon the great toe of the right foot, thus signifying that the entire person was consecrated for priestly service to God and man (Exodus 29:19-21). Just so it is with every believer in Christ today because he is made a holy and royal priest (1 Peter 2:5,9). The blood of Christ has consecrated him to worship God and show forth the excellencies of Christ to men.

The anointing oil sprinkled on Aaron and his sons typifies the Holy Spirit given to every one upon believing in Christ (Ephesians 1:13). He is the power for using our HANDS for the glory of God. The believer is not only cleansed from guilt, but he now belongs to Christ (1 Corinthians 6:19,20).

Further, in the account in Exodus 29:22-28, parts of the sacrificed ram and other offerings which speak of Christ's sinless humanity, were put into the HANDS of Aaron and his sons to be waved before the Lord. The breast and shoulder of the sacrifice, which speak of the love and strength of Christ, seem to suggest the motive and power, given to the believer to lay hold upon with his HANDS, for his priestly service to God and man. As the apostle Paul says, "The love of Christ constraineth us" (2 Corinthians 5:14), and "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me" (Philippians 4:13). Then the desired use of our HANDS will be realized—"Whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men" (Colossians 3:23,24).

The HANDS once used as "instruments of unrighteousness unto sin," are now yielded unto God "as instruments of righteousness unto God" (Romans 6:13). Ephesians 4:28 says, "Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labor, working with his HANDS the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth."

Before doing anything, the believer should look at his HANDS and ask: "Will this be to the glory of God? Is this what my Saviour's HANDS would do if He were here? Is this what HE would have me do? These HANDS no longer belong to me, but to Him! Lord, I yield my HANDS to Thee. Use them for Thy glory in blessing to precious souls!"