Filthy Rags

Have you ever looked at a white towel or undershirt and thought about how white and pure is was? But then you saw it next to something whiter and more vibrant and then it looked dingy and dirty.

Our hearts are like that. When we compare ourselves to some of our friends or family, we think about how much more righteous we are than they. We do not use the course language they do or have quick tempers. Maybe we do not smoke or consume alcohol or exceed the speed limit; in a nutshell, we are good. On the flip side, when we see others who are living a more Godly life, perhaps a parent, pastor or neighbor, we don’t feel so pure or righteous.

So where exactly do we fit on the righteous scale?

I have good news and bad news. First, the bad news. The prophet Isaiah wrote, “We are all infected and impure with sin. When we display our righteous deeds, they are nothing but filthy rags” (Isa. 64:6, NLT). The Apostle Paul said, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Rom. 3:23, NKJV). When we compare ourselves to others, we may look pretty good but when we compare ourselves to Christ Jesus, God’s standard of righteousness, we are disgusting and filthy. We can do nothing on our own to earn God’s favor or meet His standard.

The good news is this, when we receive Jesus, His righteousness is imputed to us. Paul said, “I no longer count on my own righteousness through obeying the law; rather, I become righteous through faith in Christ. For God’s way of making us right with himself depends on faith” (Phi. 3:9, NLT). In the gospel that bares his name, John pinned, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16, NKJV).

Jesus left His glory in heaven and came in human flesh, lived a sinless life and then died on the cross, meeting God’s righteous standard of judgement for sin, and became an acceptable sacrifice for our sin. Then He arose from the grave and is seated on the right hand of the Father where He makes intercession for us (Rom. 8:34; Heb. 7:25; Eph. 1:15-22). As Paul stated, “But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners” (Rom. 5:8, NLT). 

   

Friend, do you feel good enough to earn a place in heaven? You aren’t. Do you feel filthy and unworthy to come before the Lord? That is how we all must come before Him. He does not expect anyone to get clean before we come before Him because we can’t. We come as we are and He cleanses us. What a loving and merciful God!

If you don’t know Him or you have strayed away from Him, come to Him today. Confess your sins and He will take you as you are and transform your life. This is the most important decision you will ever make and one you will never regret, I promise.