I can’t get this out of my head:
Isaiah 64:6 (Amplified Bible) 6For we have all become like one who is unclean [ceremonially, like a leper], and all our righteousness (our best deeds of rightness and justice) is like filthy rags or a polluted garment; we all fade like a leaf, and our iniquities, like the wind, take us away [far from God’s favor, hurrying us toward destruction].
I’m amazed at how filthy I really am. Even my good deed are filthy.There are times when I’m astonished by my own evil thoughts.When I think I’m doing something “good” or I’m ever justified in my feelings, it’s all like “filthy rags” to God.Not just dirty, ya’ll.FILTHY.Meaning … disgustingly dirty. Worse than dirty.Francis Chan says the literal translation of these filthy rags is “menstrual garments.” Used menstrual garments.What a picture to think of! Pretty disgusting, huh?Here’s the funny thing … we parade around thinking we’re so spiritual and want recognition for all the deeds we do in the name of the Lord when all our best is filthy compared to the holiness of our Almighty God.And, then I think about that “unclean” part, meaning … ceremonially, like a leper unclean … that’s what we’re being compared to here.You know what lepers did all day?The law in those days said that the leper had to wear torn clothes, have unkept hair, and cover the lower part of his face, and continually scream out, “Unclean! Unclean!” … all while being only allowed outside of the camp. (Lev. 13:45-46)We are like that in our deeds.Any good thing that we could ever do will never make up for the amount of sin and filth we have inside of us. It just can’t. Doesn’t mean we shouldn’t do any good deeds; just means our sin is far greater.So what we should be rejoicing in or wanting recognition for is not something we’ve done. It’s only about what He has done.Except for His grace, we couldn’t stand.I’m humbled by and in awe of this God of mine.
Amen! I'm so thankful that despite my filthy nature, it's in HIS nature to love me and make me clean again. He's incredible!
Awesome truth!
He is so good. I am so humbled and amazed that He'd chose to love us. We are filthy…and such a mess…and in that messiness He loves me.
I've been learning lately what a mess I really am….It was so unacceptable to me to fall apart or to struggle. And now…I realize…I fall apart to realize what a mess I truly am and that there is NOTHING in me that makes me loveable. It's just HIM!!!!
Thanks for sharing,
Brandi
Powerful & so good to read today during my quiet lunch break!
Thanks for sharing ~
Ughhh. :(So true. And yucky.
Thanks for the reminder. =)
MENSTRUAL garments? Seriously? Ewww.
The times I forgotten this, and started thinking I was doing God some favor, He is never long in showing me…the real me.
It's always such a disappointment. But that's what makes me so grateful for what He did.
Great post, girl.
"Except for His grace, we couldn't stand." Very well said.
Uff. Right to the gut.
I thought that was an extremely well written blog. It was really awesome. I have a question though. You wrote,
"Any good thing that we could ever do will never make up for the amount of sin and filth we have inside of us. It just can't. Doesn't mean we shouldn't do any good deeds; just means our sin is far greater."
My understanding of grace is that I don't have any filth inside me any more. I did, but when I believed in Jesus He removed my sin from me… all the sin, all the filth. Maybe I'm wrong.
Check out this link for further reading.
http://www.lifetime.org/christians-still-have-nature-w-680.html