Holiness requires constant prayer, constant vigilance and continuing sensitivity to the rebuke and approval of the Holy Spirit. Every time the Holy Spirit reproves us of a sinful thought, word or action, we must be quick to confess our sin (I John 1:9).

The Laver, then, portrays the cleansing of the Christian in preparation for priestly service. The believer first is cleansed in water baptism. Our original personality by faith is assigned to the cross with Christ so that the Holy Spirit may render powerless our sinful nature. We then by faith rise with Christ so we may walk in a new life of righteous conduct.

Now that we have entered Christ's death and resurrection we have the power to choose to be a servant of righteousness. Prior to our baptism in water we were under the authority of darkness and had to serve sin whether we wanted to or not. But now that our old life has been assigned to the cross with Christ we are free to choose to serve God.

We must keep ourselves clean each day. The reading of the Scriptures will help greatly ("Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee."—Psalms 119:11). When the New Testament tells us to put away adultery, fornication, filthy speech, lying, hatred, bitterness, unforgiveness, then we must cease doing these things.

Time must be set aside for prayer each day, and in addition there must be a continuing attitude of prayer on our part. We need help from the prayers, counsel and ministry of other Christians. We must confess our sins to God as the Holy Spirit points them out to us. Sometimes we have to ask forgiveness of other people, or make restitution if we have harmed someone.

A dirty Christian will be taken and washed by the Lord if he will not wash himself! (I Corinthians 11:31,32; I John 3;3).

Every Christian is called to be a priest of the Lord. We are the "royal priesthood." The Holy Spirit will lead us in a ministry of the Spirit's own choice. There is no Christian who does not have a place of ministry. It does not matter whether his or her gift and ministry is small in the eyes of people. The Holy Spirit expects faithful service in the assigned responsibilities. In order for the Christian to be effective in his ministry he must keep himself absolutely clean, just as was true of an Old Testament priest.

It is our Christian duty to keep ourselves pure, always remaining in an attitude of prayer so that our service to God will be acceptable.

God requires of His priests that they be holy in deed, word, and thought, and that their hearts and minds be stayed on Him at all times, day and night. The success of our ministry will depend on our willingness to keep ourselves set apart (sanctified) to the Lord so that our priestly intercession and ministry is always acceptable to Him.

To be continued.