Keep Your Own Hands Clean

Keep your own hands clean. (1 Timothy 5:22 NEB)

1 Tim. 5:21-22 and 1:18-19; Deut. 4:9 and 23:9; Ps. 24:3-4, Pr. 4:23; James 1:27; 1 Jn. 5:21

What Is God Saying?

Timothy was the first second-generation Christian in the New Testament. Paul greatly loved and trusted him. He was not a person who threw his weight around, but as a leader of leaders in the church, he needed to develop a firmness equal to his loving nature. There is a time and a place when love must be firm and gentle. The truth must be spoken in love (Eph. 4:19), but love must also be spoken in truth. Paul wrote to Timothy to lay a foundation of sound doctrine and belief because false teachers caused many to question the Gospel's power and truth. So Timothy is encouraged to do two things: 1) hold the faith and 2) have a good conscience.

Those who hold to sound doctrine (faith) have the right basis for a sound life, but saying we believe is not always doing as we believe. Hypocrisy is a subtle and universal problem. It was a menace to the Church in Paul's day as well. That was in Paul's mind when he wrote to Timothy about having leaders whose lives were consistent with what they professed. ‘Don't be hasty in the laying on of hands, ’ and remember to keep your hands clean.

How Does This Apply To Us?

The church leaders are not only given authority to make decisions but are also inevitably regarded as examples. It may be a truism, but it needs to be said, ‘Those who are examples must lead exemplary lives.’ If Timothy were to look for that in others, he must live it. ‘My son,’ said Paul, ‘keep your own hands clean.’

We should always follow the example of our Lord. Let us bring our hands under the light of God's truth. His love will heal what his truth reveals. God is truth and love. Dare to let him look at your hands; he knows how to make and keep them clean.

Pray With Me

O Lord, whom no one can worship without clean hands and a pure heart, I pray that your Holy Spirit would cleanse these hands. I expose them wholly before the light of your judgment and mercy. The live coal touched Isaiah's lips and made them clean. Let it be the living fire of your truth and love that reveals the need and cleans these hands.

Lord, carpenter of Nazareth, builder of life divine, these are your hands. Let them move as your hands. So will my hands be clean in Heaven's business, for your use, in obedience to your commands, and clean to the glory of your name.

In your name, I offer my prayer and use my hands in your service. Amen.

Moving On In The Life of Prayer

Before we fold our hands in supplication, let them remain open before God. Let his truth uncover that which his loving forgiveness can recover. Let his truth show the need, and then let his grace lift the burden. Now we are ready to ask and sure to receive anything in his name (John 14:14).