We have been taught through scripture how our righteousness is as a filthy rag (Isaiah 64:6). This scripture has two spectrums. We can go too far to the left and use it as a scapegoat and disobey the Lord when He tells us to "be ye perfect, even as your father in heaven" (Matt 5:48). So," I asked the question, what was the Lord trying to convey? As I pondered on this, the only thing I could think of was Hanes. Hanes has been the embedded commercial of a t-shirt that is white, clean, and durable for almost 4 decades.
Because we are born in sin and shaped in iniquity, our purest form of worship is still filthy compared to God who is the purest form of holiness, and righteousness. He can never be tainted. The Lord showed me the t=shirt in a sense of "the original form". When that t-shirt is in the bag, once it is released it is now susceptible to all the elements in the atmosphere (dust, lent, spills). Even after washing it, after wearing it only one time, it has already lost it's original color. No form of bleach, detergent or dry cleaning will restore its original color.. We call it "dingy". Yes we are "dingy" Our righteous acts can oftentimes be tied to our motives. If I do a good deed, no one knows the motive but the Lord. It could be tied to pride, competition, jealousy, self-exaltation, self-will, self-glorification and the list continues. Why? Because "there is none that is righteous, no not one" Psalm 14:1-3.
Therefore, I thank the Lord through Jesus Christ our righteousness, and through His blood the purest form which has no "blood borne pathogens". We can obtain mercy and find grace in the time of need. One day He will present us faultless; a pure bride (His Church), without spot or wrinkle or any blemish (Jude 1:24). Even as David declared "As for me, I will behold His face in righteousness, I will be satisfied when I awake in His likeness" (Psalm 15:17)
