Our Righteousness is as Filthy Rags to God

 

For the umpteenth time I heard a pastor state that our righteousness was to God as filthy rags. My immediate reaction was dismay, because I believe that this statement addressing God’s people is false. I must believe that most of the ministers parroting this statement have not actually read the actual scripture from which this idea was formed.

Statements like this from the pulpit have been around long enough that this concept is becoming imbedded in church theology and doctrine. Through erroneous statements like this that are extracted from Scripture, while ignoring the context, the definitions of Christianity and being Christian are degraded. So, follow me as I attempt to unpack the Scriptural context that this statement was derived from. And let us seek to understand how Christ views our  actions and let Him lead us in the path of righteousness.

Salvation: by grace through faith

“8  For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; 9  not as a result of works, that no one should boast. 10  For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” (Eph 2:8-10 NAS)

First, I remind you of the basics that every Christian should know. Jesus told Nicodemus that unless we are born again, we will not enter the kingdom of heaven. Our part is to acknowledge our sinfulness, repent of our sins, submit to the Lordship of Christ, and be baptized in water. If we do this He will fill us with His Holy Spirit and we will become a new creation in Christ Jesus. Our obedience to these simple instructions is the exercise of our faith believing His promise to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. It was Jesus blood that was shed on the cross that paid the debt of our sins. This was done while we were still sinners, not because any merit on our part, but because of the grace of God on our behalf.

We are now no longer sinners but the redeemed of the Lord, bought by the shedding of His blood on the Cross. We are the product of His workmanship, created in Christ for good works. As we continue under His Lordship, we in obedience become clay in the potters hand and He continues to form us, conforming us to the image that was revealed to us through Christ Jesus.

We were not saved because of our righteousness, because we all have sinned and come short of the glory of God. We were saved though Christ’s righteousness as He was sacrificed for our sins. But by faith in the work of Christ on our behalf we are cleansed from all unrighteousness and are no longer sinners. By grace though faith we have become the children of God, washed, sanctified, the holy ones of God, referred to in Scripture as saints.

It was necessary that I remind you of these things before we turn to the scriptures that we are addressing. Those scriptures are found in Isaiah.

First, I point you to God’s plan for Israel which we have become part of.

“11  Behold, the LORD hath proclaimed unto the end of the world, Say ye to the daughter of Zion, Behold, thy salvation cometh; behold, his reward is with him, and his work before him. 12  And they shall call them, The holy people, The redeemed of the LORD: and thou shalt be called, Sought out, A city not forsaken.” (Isa 62:11-12 AV)

In the next chapter Isaiah rehearses the history of how He delivered Israel out of bondage and lead them by His power.

 “7 ¶  I will mention the lovingkindnesses of the LORD, and the praises of the LORD, according to all that the LORD hath bestowed on us, and the great goodness toward the house of Israel, which he hath bestowed on them according to his mercies, and according to the multitude of his lovingkindnesses. 8  For he said, Surely they are my people, children that will not lie: so he was their Saviour. 9  In all their affliction he was afflicted, and the angel of his presence saved them: in his love and in his pity he redeemed them; and he bare them, and carried them all the days of old.” (Isa 63:7-9 AV)

“But they rebelled, and vexed his holy Spirit: therefore he was turned to be their enemy, and he fought against them.” (Isa 63:10 AV)

If we continue reading the 63 chapter, we see that because of their sins God allowed them to be trodden down and destroyed. And we see a dismal scene that is presented to us of the fallen condition of Israel. And then as we read into chapter 64, we hear the prophet crying out for God to have mercy on them and restore them into His favor. It is in this setting that Isaiah presents us with this verse that has been extracted out of its context and applied to people who are living in righteousness.

“5  Thou dost meet him who rejoices in doing righteousness, Who remembers Thee in Thy ways. Behold, Thou wast angry, for we sinned, We continued in them a long time; And shall we be saved? 6 ¶  For all of us have become like one who is unclean, And all our righteous deeds are like a filthy garment; And all of us wither like a leaf, And our iniquities, like the wind, take us away. 7  And there is no one who calls on Thy name, Who arouses himself to take hold of Thee; For Thou hast hidden Thy face from us, And hast delivered us into the power of our iniquities.” (Isa 64:5-7 NAS)

It becomes evident that this is not a statement God is making about His saints. Rather this is a confession on behalf of a rebellious wicked people. The extraction of this phrase from this context and applying it to God fearing Christians is often the results of sloppiness. If anyone simply reads it in context the meaning is clear to whom it is referring.

The prophet continues to petition God to forgive their sins and restore Israel to its previous glory. As he appeals to God from the necessary humble position. He says, “You are our Father,” we will be clay in your hands as you mold us to be what you want us to be. Presently we have no resembles of what we once were when you were blessing us.

Chapter 65 begins with God speaking.

 “1 ¶  “I permitted Myself to be sought by those who did not ask for Me;I permitted Myself to be found by those who did not seek Me. I said, ‘Here am I, here am I,’ To a nation which did not call on My name. 2  “I have spread out My hands all day long to a rebellious people, Who walk in the way which is not good, following their own thoughts, 3  A people who continually provoke Me to My face, Offering sacrifices in gardens and burning incense on bricks; 4  Who sit among graves, and spend the night in secret places; Who eat swine’s flesh, And the broth of unclean meat is in their pots. 5  “Who say, ‘Keep to yourself, do not come near me, For I am holier than you!’ These are smoke in My nostrils, A fire that burns all the day.” (Isa 65:1-5 NAS)

So, the people whose righteousness is as filthy rags to God, are these rebellious people who have a holier than you attitude. They are righteous in their own eyes, but in the eyes of God their righteousness is as filthy rags. The literal Hebrew translation of “filthy rags” is menstrual cloth or clothes.

When We Are Righteous

“9  Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile; 10  But glory, honour, and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile: 11  For there is no respect of persons with God.” (Ro 2:9-11 AV)

When people do what is right in God’s eyes, He does not disdain their efforts, rather he applauds their efforts. He does not despise our righteous actions as being in adequate. He does not belittle us  because our efforts fall short of the magnitude of His righteousness.

“For God is not unjust so as to forget your work and the love which you have shown toward His name, in having ministered and in still ministering to the saints.” (Heb 6:10 NAS)

Neither does God judge our action by comparing us one with another, elevating one person above another. God commends our efforts and action in the context in which they happen. In Mat. 25 we have the parable of the talents. Each servant receives a number of talents to oversee based upon their abilities. The one with five talents received the same commendation as the one who had two talents: “His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.” (Mt 25:23 AV) The servant who had gained only two talents was not told, “If you were as good as your fellow servant you could have earned five talents like he did”.

Likewise, God commends us when we do good even when it may seem trivial. If fact He used the simplest act of righteousness as an example of where we must all begin in our path of righteousness as we follow Him.

“2  And He called a child to Himself and set him before them, 3  and said, “Truly I say to you, unless you are converted and become like children, you shall not enter the kingdom of heaven. 4  “Whoever then humbles himself as this child, he is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” (Mt 18:2-4 NAS)

Jesus is answering the question: “Who is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” Jesus uses a child to illustrate His answer. The child He uses is trusting, obedient, and humble. The child puts his trust in Jesus and obediently comes to him. Humbly this child stands in their midst while Jesus uses him as an illustration. This is a simple illustration of righteousness, the element necessary to enter the kingdom of heaven. Even here in the behavior of a little child Jesus applauds his behavior as the actions of one who is considered the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

If we are converted and become like this child our righteousness is not depicted as dirty rags, is it? Of course not, it is celebrated for what it is, righteous works.

Jesus is the Judge

Throughout the Scripture righteous behavior, attitudes, and actions are always held in high regard by God. Never are they presented as menial or of no importance. Never is true righteousness of men belittled or mocked by God. But hypocrisy is not considered righteousness. Those that are called out are those who attempt to create an illusion of righteousness. Their righteousness would fit into the category of filthy rags in God’s sight. Those who cry Lord, Lord, but do not follow His commandments make a mockery of Christianity.

The Book of Revelation is addressed to the seven churches. In chapter two and three Jesus examines the seven churches. He begins His address to each church commending them for those things that they are doing that are righteous and good. Jesus does not treat their righteous actions as dirty rags. Rather He goes on to tell them of those things that have dirtied their garments. His appeal to them is to allow Him to cleanse them of their unrighteousness and restore them to a place of honor.

When we get to the end of the Book  we see God’s true statement concerning the righteousness of His people. Their righteousness is represented by fine linen, clean and white.

“And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.” (Re 19:8 AV)

“11  Behold, the LORD hath proclaimed unto the end of the world, Say ye to the daughter of Zion, Behold, thy salvation cometh; behold, his reward is with him, and his work before him. 12  And they shall call them, The holy people, The redeemed of the LORD: and thou shalt be called, Sought out, A city not forsaken.” (Isa 62:11-12 AV)

When the Preachers are Right

There is a real possibility that when a preacher states to his congregation that their righteousness is as filthy rags before the Lord, that he is correct. For this is indeed was the condition of Israel as they were address by Isaiah. As I look across America today and see the spiritual conditions that many of them are in, it is evident that their righteousness is to God as filthy rags. Sin and sinfulness abound within the walls of many churches. Pride and arrogance permeate their halls. They have been taught to believe that Jesus’ righteousness covers their sins as they carelessly live their lives in unrepentant sin.

“4  “And I say to you, My friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. 5  “But I will warn you whom to fear: fear the One who after He has killed has authority to cast into hell; yes, I tell you, fear Him!” (Lu 12:4-5 NAS)

People have lost their fear of God. All they have been taught is that Jesus loves them. They are taught that if they believe that Jesus died for them on the cross, then they will be saved. All they must do is to love Jesus because He will save them.

The following statement was posted on facebook: I am a sinner. I live in love with Jesus.

If you are still a sinner then you do not love Jesus, because Jesus said, “If you love me you will keep my commandments.”

People who have no fear of God, who do not keep His commandment, are sinners. They are not Christians who are following Christ in the paths of righteousness. They are not redeemed, but headed for hell. Those who have repented and have been cleansed from their unrighteousness are no longer sinners. Paul in his letters to the churches refers to them as saints (holy ones).

What I Fear

What I fear is that when preachers claim that our righteousness is as filthy rags to God, that it is true for their congregation or for some of the people in their church. Because if it is true then those people are not Christians destined for heaven, but sinners headed for hell.

“and may be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own derived from the Law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith,” (Php 3:9 NAS)

Christ has provided the means for our righteousness. His death on the cross for our sins provided the means to cleanse us from our unrighteousness. Christ died for all, but His righteousness is imputed to those who repent of their sins and trust Christ to cleanse us of all our unrighteousness. As clay is in the potter’s hand we become a new creation in Christ Jesus. Jesus referred to this as a New Birth. No longer are we referred to as sinners, but are now called Christians, saints of God, and citizens of that heavenly kingdom.

I bring you back to my beginning verse.

“8  For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; 9  not as a result of works, that no one should boast. 10  For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” (Eph 2:8-10 NAS)

As His workmanship, created for good works, our righteousness is of His making and seen as precious in the sight of God.

Bob Gunderson