I got to truly ponder today the meaning when the Bible says ‘our righteousness is like filthy rags.’ I grew up in many-a-shop…I know what a grease rag is. I guess I’ll always assumed that ‘filthy rags’ were like those clean-dirty rags.
But today I had the opportunity to see a person who was not known for his cleanliness; he has mental challenges and circumstances had put him into a place where he was alone, being restricted, and he was being told he couldn’t do things he always had been able to do before. He was pacing, angry, agitated. I came to see him…and he knew me…and he was beside himself to see someone he recognized. He hugged me…I hugged him back… And I felt his filth. I don’t think I hid very well the fact I wanted to cringe…I tried. I can clean up I thought…he needed me.
But then I was driving home, still trying to ignore the fact that I had to go back to work, couldn’t change clothes, trying not to think about whether that was the results of his runny nose in my hair.
And I felt the Spirit speak the words “your righteousness is like filthy rags.” What?! I like to think I am clean, I showered this morning, I washed my hair, my drippy nose is kept in check, I do what is right, I strive to follow the Law of God and the laws of the land. Yet when I come to God, I am…filthy. My humanity and body that is susceptible to sickness, my selfish thoughts and my daily battle with sin….even in my goodness, I am repugnant to a Holy God. As Paul said “the things I want to do I do not.”
And yet this resplendent Savior in all of his purity grabs me in a hug….my filth staining Him…and I instead am considered clean…and He saves me. His cleanliness….for my filth.
