Filthy Rags

There is no end to self righteousness.

God gives Adam and Eve one command. They cannot keep it.

He gives Moses ten commandments. Man cannot keep them.

Later, He gives over 600 more to Moses. Man cannot keep them.

Jesus preaches the Sermon on the Mount giving us an impossible standard to meet. Man cannot keep them.

Jesus tells the rich young ruler he must keep the law. The young man says that he has since his youth. He hadn’t.

Every time God gave man commandments, man approached them as though he could really satisfy God.

Galatians 3:24 tells us that the purpose of the law was to teach us that we couldn’t keep it and had no choice but to turn to God for mercy.

We refuse to admit that we cannot live up to God’s expectations.

We daily make judgments and assessments that we are better or more righteous than others.

God says that our righteousness is as filthy rags. I read in one place that this rag is likened to a long rag tied to a pole in public that lepers would use to wipe the oozing puss from their sores. Most Hebrew scholars will tell you that it is representative of a menstrual rag.

Either way, we get a clear picture of how God perceives our righteousness.

The next time you fail to live up to God’s expectations, instead of screaming in frustration and setting about to do better, fall on your face and thank God for His mercy and grace. 

The whole purpose of these commands is to show you that you need Him. 

They are not to show you how much better you are than everyone else.

Recommended reading: Luke 18:10-14