The human hand is a fascinating and wonderful creation. One hardly ever gives thought to its twenty-seven bones animated by over sixty muscles, articulated by thirty-nine joints and protected by its water-tight, self-healing covering we call skin. And yet this biological marvel instantly obeys our every command, both conscious and subconscious, performing countless skills from the powerful to most delicate twenty-four hours a day. Most of us hardly ever consider the wonder of the human hand. When we do, however, it reveals the wonder of creation and the genius of our Creator.
Yet, here is another way of looking at our hand that reveals the wonder of eternity and the genius of our Savior. Let the five fingers of your hand represent five marvelous truths of eternal significance for us all...
The Thumb represents Grace because like a ride given to a hitchhiker, eternal life is a free gift of God's grace.
What the Bible Says:
“The gift of God is eternal life.”
Romans 6:23
“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works lest anyone should boast.”
Ephesians 2:8-9
Think About It:
Anything that is truly considered a gift must be free and is neither earned nor deserved. Even so, Heaven is a free gift, not earned or deserved.
We all share a problem.
It’s found in the heart of “Mankind”…
The Index Finger reminds us of Man. We may point out the sins in others, but there are always three fingers pointing back at ourselves. We all have a problem called sin.
What the Bible Says:
“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Romans 3:23
Jesus says the passing grade for entry into Heaven is perfection. “Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” Matthew 5:48
Think About It:
Just as an omelet made with a rotten egg would not be acceptable, so our lives containing any sin at all are certainly not perfect and are not acceptable to God.
That is the reason we cannot save ourselves!
The middle or Great Finger (since it is the longest) represents God because He is the Greatest Being in the universe.
What the Bible Says:
God is merciful and He doesn’t want to punish us…“God is love.” 1 John 4:8
However, God is also just and must punish our sin…“He will by no means leave the guilty unpunished.” Exodus 34:7
Think About It:
If God did not have mercy, He wouldn’t be loving, and if He did not punish sin, He wouldn’t be just.
in the person of Jesus Christ…
The Ring Finger represents Christ, because the Bible calls Him the Bridegroom and believers the Bride.
What the Bible Says:
Jesus is actually God in the flesh…“In the beginning was the Word (Jesus) and the Word was with God, and the Word was God...and the Word became flesh and dwelt among us.”
John 1:1, 14
The death of Jesus Christ was His once-and-for-all sacrifice to pay the penalty for our sins…
“For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God."
1 Peter 3:18
Think About It:
As if a judge himself were to pay the sentence for a guilty defendant, so the judge of our souls became a man and Himself paid the penalty for our sins.
He died on the cross, paid the penalty for our sins and purchased a place in Heaven for us which is received through faith…
The Little Finger represents Faith because it is the smallest, just as Jesus compared faith to the mustard seed, one of the smallest of all seeds.
What the Bible Says:
Just believing these facts in one’s head is not enough… “You believe that there is one God You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble!”
James 2:19
Jesus died on the cross, paid the penalty for our sins and purchased a place in Heaven for us.
We must place our trust in Jesus Christ alone to reveive the gift of eternal life…
“Believe on (trust in) the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved.”
Acts 16:31
Think About It:
As we might transfer our trust from one chair to sit in another, so we must transfer our trust from those things we are doing to try to earn our way to Heaven and trust in the work of Jesus Christ alone for our eternal life.
The Hand. What a wonderful creation and what a wonderful picture of salvation through Christ alone!
Does this make sense to you? Would you like to receive the free gift of eternal life? If so,
Think About It:
To receive the gift of eternal life:
1. Transfer Your Trust from what you have been doing to what Christ alone has done for you on the cross.
2. Receive Christ as Savior. As you might open your hand to receive a gift, so now open your heart to receive Jesus Christ as your personal Savior.
3. Trust Christ as Lord. Give Him the “Driver’s seat” and “controls” of your life.
4. Repent. Be willing to turn from anything you know would not please Him and do those things He reveals as His will.
If this is what you really want to do, here is a:
Suggested Prayer:
Dear God,
And now by faith, I place my full trust in Jesus Christ alone for my eternal salvation. I now receive the free gift of eternal life. Come into my life, forgive me of my sins and help me become the person You want me to be. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen. Thank You that Heaven is a free gift. I admit that I have sinned and that I cannot save myself. I know that You love me, but I also realize You are just and You must punish my sins. Thank You for Jesus who is God and who died to pay the penalty for my sins.