Why are all of our righteous acts considered filthy rags?

[Theophilus]

For 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].
Isaiah 64:6.

What does Isaiah 64:6 mean? The term “filthy rags” is quite strong. The word filthy is a translation of the Hebrew word iddah, which literally means “the bodily fluids from a woman’s menstrual cycle.” The word rags is a translation of begged, meaning “a rag or garment.” Therefore, these “righteous acts” are considered by God as repugnant as a soiled feminine hygiene product. The Hebrew phrase for filthy rags, ukabeged ehdim, literally means, “like as rags of menstruation.”

The point is, both our acts of righteousness, and the quality of righteousness that we hope they produce, are disgusting to God. So if you are disgusted by Isaiah’s language, think of how God, who inspired Isaiah to choose those coarse words, is repulsed by our efforts to get him to save us.

You cannot be saved by your good works, because no matter how hard you try, your “good” is not good enough for the perfectly holy and completely righteous God who alone grants salvation. Nor can you be saved by your moral perfection—no matter how moral or how perfect you are.

One image seen here is of the leaf, already dry and faded, swept from the tree by the winter wind: so our iniquities hurry us away to destruction.

Our salvation is not the result of any of our efforts, abilities, intelligent choices, personal characteristics, or acts of service we may perform. However, as believers, we are “created in Christ Jesus for good works”—to help and serve others. While there is nothing we can do to earn our salvation, God’s intention is that our salvation will result in acts of service. We are saved not merely for our own benefit but to serve Christ and build up the church (Ephesians 4:12). This reconciles the seeming conflict between faith and works. Our righteous acts do not produce salvation but are, in fact, evidence of our salvation (James 1:22; 2:14–26). Got?

In the end, we must recognize that even our righteous acts come as a result of God within us, not of ourselves. On our own, our “righteousness” is simply self-righteousness, and vain, hypocritical religion produces nothing more than “filthy rags.”

 

[civic]

The Sheep and the Goats​

31 “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his glorious throne. 32 All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33 He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.

34 “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 35 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’

37 “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’

40 “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’

41 “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. 42 For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, 43 I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’

44 “They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’

45 “He will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’

46 “Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.”

 

[The Rogue Tomato]

Yeah, but look at these people performing good deeds:

22 Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?’ 23 And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness.’

 

[civic]

Yeah, but look at these people performing good deeds:

22 Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?’ 23 And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness.’

the devil is the great imitator and deceiver.

 

[koberstein]

For 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].
Isaiah 64:6.

What does Isaiah 64:6 mean? The term “filthy rags” is quite strong. The word filthy is a translation of the Hebrew word iddah, which literally means “the bodily fluids from a woman’s menstrual cycle.” The word rags is a translation of begged, meaning “a rag or garment.” Therefore, these “righteous acts” are considered by God as repugnant as a soiled feminine hygiene product. The Hebrew phrase for filthy rags, ukabeged ehdim, literally means, “like as rags of menstruation.”

The point is, both our acts of righteousness, and the quality of righteousness that we hope they produce, are disgusting to God. So if you are disgusted by Isaiah’s language, think of how God, who inspired Isaiah to choose those coarse words, is repulsed by our efforts to get him to save us.

You cannot be saved by your good works, because no matter how hard you try, your “good” is not good enough for the perfectly holy and completely righteous God who alone grants salvation. Nor can you be saved by your moral perfection—no matter how moral or how perfect you are.

One image seen here is of the leaf, already dry and faded, swept from the tree by the winter wind: so our iniquities hurry us away to destruction.



In the end, we must recognize that even our righteous acts come as a result of God within us, not of ourselves. On our own, our “righteousness” is simply self-righteousness, and vain, hypocritical religion produces nothing more than “filthy rags.”

The story has it that the Queen of England was touring a paper mill and was admiring the beautiful brilliant white parchment that was being created. At the end of her tour at the plant she noticed these numerous awful filthy dirty rags piled up by the entrance to the mill. The Queen asked the tour guide why these filthy dirty rags were piled up here. The tour guide informed the Queen that these filthy dirty rags were being turned into the beautiful brilliant white parchment paper. The tour guide turned a sheet of the white parchment paper over and it was labeled as 100% rag.
This is a great analogy of how our sins are like filthy rags and because of Yeshua's sacrifice and atonement we can be made whiter than snow.

 

[Aeliana]

Yeah, but look at these people performing good deeds:

22 Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?’ 23 And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness.’

Yeah but, What were these people's motives? Were they counting on themselves, their good deeds as in works salvation? It's like Jesus says in verse 23 he never knew them, they had never accepted Jesus as lord and savior.

“Depart from Me I never knew you.” This is a warning to everyone and we need to pay close attention to His statement.

Matthew 7:20 says, “Thus you will recognize them by their fruits. ‘Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.

 

[koberstein]

Mitzvah in Hebrew means doing good deeds, which are blessings to other people.
Shalom

 

[Anja]

Mitzvah in Hebrew means doing good deeds, which are blessings to other people.
Shalom

And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you [with abundant increase of favors] and make your name famous and distinguished, and you will be a blessing [dispensing good to others].

Genesis 12:2.

 

[koberstein]

And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you [with abundant increase of favors] and make your name famous and distinguished, and you will be a blessing [dispensing good to others].

Genesis 12:2.

Well said from the Torah

 

[Studyman]

For 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].
Isaiah 64:6.

It wasn't God's righteousness that took men away from God's favor. It was "man's righteousness", as Paul explains to men seeking God's Truth.

Rom. 10: 1 Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved.

2 For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge.

3 For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish "their own righteousness", have not submitted themselves "unto the righteousness of God".

What does Isaiah 64:6 mean? The term “filthy rags” is quite strong. The word filthy is a translation of the Hebrew word iddah, which literally means “the bodily fluids from a woman’s menstrual cycle.” The word rags is a translation of begged, meaning “a rag or garment.” Therefore, these “righteous acts” are considered by God as repugnant as a soiled feminine hygiene product. The Hebrew phrase for filthy rags, ukabeged ehdim, literally means, “like as rags of menstruation.”

The point is, both our acts of righteousness, and the quality of righteousness that we hope they produce, are disgusting to God. So if you are disgusted by Isaiah’s language, think of how God, who inspired Isaiah to choose those coarse words, is repulsed by our efforts to get him to save us.

It is absurd to preach to others that God's righteousness becomes a filthy rag just because Jesus or Zacharias or Simeon walked in them. And yet, that is what you have been convinced of. Isaiah is addressing "Man's (Our) Righteousness", not God's.
God saw this distortion of His Inspired Word coming and has prepared me for it.

1 John 3: 7 Little children, let "no man" deceive you: he that "doeth" righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous.

You cannot be saved by your good works, because no matter how hard you try, your “good” is not good enough for the perfectly holy and completely righteous God who alone grants salvation.

This is true. You can call Jesus Lord, Lord and have a I Jesus bumper sticker on your car, but if a man lives in transgression of God's commandments, the Jesus "of the Bible" says HE doesn't even know him. (Matt. 7:22,23) All man's manmade shrines of worship, and their images of God in the likeness of some random men's hair shampoo model, and their preachers who sit in the chief seats of the house mean nothing.

It's those who "Yield themselves" servant to obey God, to become "Servants of God's Righteousness", and not your own, or as Paul teaches "To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life:

Nor can you be saved by your moral perfection—no matter how moral or how perfect you are.

Man's "moral perfection" is a filthy rag. Here is what the Jesus "of the Bible" commands of his people.

Matt. 5: 48 Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.

One image seen here is of the leaf, already dry and faded, swept from the tree by the winter wind: so our iniquities hurry us away to destruction.

Yes, not God's Righteousness, but our transgressions.

In the end, we must recognize that even our righteous acts come as a result of God within us, not of ourselves.

There is one way to know if "our righteous acts" are from God or not. God, in His Mercy and loving kindness tells us how we can know for sure.

1 John 2: 3 And "hereby we do know" that we know him, if we keep his commandments.

4 He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.

5 But whoso keepeth his word, (Not the religious tranditions of the religions of this world God placed us in) in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him.

6 He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.

On our own, our “righteousness” is simply self-righteousness, and vain, hypocritical religion produces nothing more than “filthy rags.”

This is true, just as Paul teaches.

2 cor. 5: 9 Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him. 10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.

Jesus gives a glimpse of "that day" in Matt. 7:22 when HE speaks face to face for the first time to many "Christians" who appear before the judgment seat of Christ.

As it is written in Ecc. 12: 13 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is "the whole duty of man".

Why?

14 For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.

Paul also understood this.

1 Cor. 7: 19 Circumcision (Jew) is nothing, and uncircumcision (Gentile) is nothing, but the keeping of the commandments of God.

Walking in God's Righteousness, not our own.

 

[Theophilus]

All righteousness

It wasn't God's righteousness that took men away from God's favor. It was "man's righteousness", as Paul explains to men seeking God's Truth.

That's what I commented on and what the bible says that our righteousness is like filthy rags.

 

[The Rogue Tomato]

It wasn't God's righteousness that took men away from God's favor. It was "man's righteousness", as Paul explains to men seeking God's Truth.

Exactly. Righteous acts performed in the flesh are as filthy rags. Only acts wrought in God under the Holy Spirit are "good".

 

[Theophilus]

Exactly. Righteous acts performed in the flesh are as filthy rags. Only acts wrought in God under the Holy Spirit are "good".

Exactly here's how I ended The OP:

In the end, we must recognize that even our righteous acts come as a result of God within us, not of ourselves. On our own, our “righteousness” is simply self-righteousness, and vain, hypocritical religion produces nothing more than “filthy rags.”

 

[Studyman]

All righteousness


That's what I commented on and what the bible says that our righteousness is like filthy rags.

But if we walk in God's Righteousness, we are not walking in "our righteousness" or as it is written in another place, "Walking in the flesh", we are walking in the Spirit. Like Zacharias.

Luke 1: 5 There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judaea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the course of Abia: and his wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elisabeth. 6 And they were both righteous before God, "walking" in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless.

It seemed like your post was promoting the popular religious philosophy that God's Righteousness becomes a "filthy rag" when a flesh and blood man humbles himself to walk in them, like Rogue Tomato preaches.

The Rogue Tomato said:
Exactly. Righteous acts performed in the flesh are as filthy rags.

This is the popular religious philosophy I spoke to. That God's instruction in righteousness, is righteous, until a flesh and blood man humbles himself to walk in them, then they become filthy rags.

Only acts wrought in God under the Holy Spirit are "good".

God is a Spirit, The Holy scriptures are inspired by God, and therefore Spiritual. Paul said not the "Hearers" of God's instruction in righteousness are just, but those who hear Him and then "Do" His instruction in righteousness, these shall be justified. How are God's instructions not "wrought in God"?

 

[Theophilus]

Maybe this will clear enough a little.

The phrase “our righteousness is like filthy rags” is a biblical concept that emphasizes the inadequacy of human righteousness in the eyes of God. This idea is rooted in Isaiah 64:6, which states, “But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.”

Understanding the Context

In this passage, Isaiah is lamenting the spiritual state of God’s people, who have turned away from Him and are seeking to justify themselves through their own righteousness. However, God sees their attempts at righteousness as nothing more than “filthy rags” or “polluted garments.” This phrase is often translated as “unclean thing” or “unclean rags,” emphasizing the idea that human righteousness is tainted by sin and is therefore unacceptable to a holy God.

The Implication

This concept has significant implications for our understanding of salvation and our relationship with God. It highlights the fact that our attempts to earn salvation through our own righteousness are futile, as our righteousness is inherently flawed and unacceptable to God. Instead, we must recognize our need for a Savior and trust in Jesus Christ, who is the only one who can provide us with true righteousness and salvation.

Conclusion

In summary, the phrase “our righteousness is like filthy rags” is a biblical concept that emphasizes the inadequacy of human righteousness in the eyes of God. It highlights the need for a Savior and the importance of trusting in Jesus Christ for salvation, rather than relying on our own efforts to earn it.

 

[Studyman]

Exactly here's how I ended The OP:

In the end, we must recognize that even our righteous acts come as a result of God within us, not of ourselves. On our own, our “righteousness” is simply self-righteousness, and vain, hypocritical religion produces nothing more than “filthy rags.”

Yes, man's judgments, man's sabbaths, man's high days, man's instruction in righteousness, produce nothing but hypocritical religions, who "Transgress God's commandments by their own traditions". This world is full of them.

How else would a man "Yield himself" a servant to obey God, unless God's Word was in him? As I stated "It wasn't God's righteousness that took men away from God's favor. It was "man's righteousness".

This is how we know if God is in us or not.

1 John 2: 3 And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. 4 He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. 5 But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him.

6 He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.

 

[The Rogue Tomato]

God is a Spirit, The Holy scriptures are inspired by God, and therefore Spiritual. Paul said not the "Hearers" of God's instruction in righteousness are just, but those who hear Him and then "Do" His instruction in righteousness, these shall be justified. How are God's instructions not "wrought in God"?

Are you asking, "How can following God's instructions not be wrought in God?" If so, many ways. For example, religious acts done to get brownie points from God. "I gave $$$ to the poor." "I pray 3 times daily." "I go to church twice every week." Why did you do those things? The motive is what counts. Were you led by the Spirit or the flesh?

 

[Studyman]

Are you asking, "How can following God's instructions not be wrought in God?" If so, many ways. For example, religious acts done to get brownie points from God.

So then in your religion, if a man obeys God's Commandments to honor God, or please God, then his obedience in not "Wrought in God"?

Can you show me an example of a man guilty of this in Scriptures?

"I gave $$$ to the poor."

There is nothing in the Commandments of God requiring all men to give money to random poor people. Jesus told a rich man to give up his riches to expose what was most important to the rich man who claimed to obey God's Commandment but had rejected the first and greatest.

But there is no instruction from God to give random poor people money.

"I pray 3 times daily."

Where in the Holy Scriptures does God instruct His People to pray 3 times a day? When has an obedient servant of God in scriptures ever bragged about how many times a day he prayed? Jesus did say not to be like the hypocrites who pray openly in their manmade shrines of worship, and in public. But how is this an example of someone following God's instruction not wrought in God?

"I go to church twice every week."

Where does God instruct men to go to some random manmade shrine of worship twice a week? Where are you getting these things as examples of men "following God's instructions not wrought in God".

Where is your evidence that God instructed anyone to go to random, manmade shrines of worship twice a week?

Why did you do those things?

The question should be, why would anyone do these things? I don't, even though you imply that I do, there is no evidence anywhere in any of my posts that I have created such instruction, and then brag about following them.

Nothing you promoted here is an instruction from God. They might be your righteousness, but not God's.

The motive is what counts. Were you led by the Spirit or the flesh?

Here is what I said. Perhaps you should read it, and then post a reply that actually addresses it.

"God is a Spirit, The Holy scriptures are inspired by God, and therefore Spiritual. Paul said not the "Hearers" of God's instruction in righteousness are just, but those who hear Him and then "Do" His instruction in righteousness, these shall be justified. How are God's instructions not "wrought in God"?

What motivates men to reject God's Judgments, Statutes and instruction in Righteousness, to create their own, and then brag about it? Certainly not the Spirit of God.