“6 All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind our sins sweep us away.” ~ Isaiah 64:6
We are all infected and impure with sin. When we display our righteous deeds, they are nothing but filthy rags. Like autumn leaves, we wither and fall, and our sins sweep us away like the wind.
Have you heard someone say, “I’m a good person, I deserve to go to heaven”? Maybe you yourself have said this. The truth is, none of us are inherently good. Meaning we are not naturally righteous people. Holiness doesn’t mysteriously appear and take up residence in us. If truth be told, we are all wicked and vial. Otherwise, Jesus would not have to come to earth, to be beaten, bruised, and crucified. There would be no need for Him to die such a horrendous death on a cruel Roman cross. It’s a lie from the enemy of our souls, trying to keep us from seeking that which we all need. Salvation. Without which, we will not receive eternal life. Look at what Isaiah says. We are all infected and impure with sin. Not one of us has escaped its nasty grasp, and Jesus knew it. That is why He came and died that we might be washed clean by the cleansing of His blood.
So, the question is, then, how do we receive this cleansing that leads to eternal life? We simply ask for it and believe that we have received it. Now, if we believe we have received, then we should now live like we received salvation. Which means we no longer do or say the things that offend God, or in other words, break His commandments. We seek to please Him by forging a relationship with Him through prayer, reading of His Word, and following His commands and laws.
Think about it. If you had a pet pig that lived in a nasty filthy pigsty, he would probably believe he’s clean and would want to come and play with you and have you hug him. But you would see him for what he is, a dirty pig. So, you bathe him and wash him clean; then you are willing to hold him and hug him. And you would not want him to go wallowing in the muck again. It’s the same with God. He desires to hold us and love us, but the stench of sin is overwhelming, and He will turn away. But once we accept Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross, we are immediately washed clean, and we are accepted as true sons and daughters.
Heavenly Father, forgive us of our sins. Create in us a clean heart. Give us an obedient spirit and a heart that is true. Help us to follow all your laws and decrees that we might be pleasing to You. Thank you for Jesus’ sacrifice on Calvary and help us to draw close to You that You might draw close to us. In Jesus’ name, amen.
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