In Isaiah 64:6 we are reminded that, “…we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf.”  Those are powerful words and should completely obliterate any pride that might otherwise take root in our lives, and yet oftentimes we forget the significance of what this verse is telling us. It is only when we come to the humbling realization that our own righteousness is as a filthy rag in contrast to God’s that the words of David in Psalm 8:4 can really take on their full meaning: “What is man, that thou art mindful of him?”

“Then said I, Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts.”

              -Isaiah 6:5

Most people consider themselves to be decent and moral individuals, and, judging by the world’s standards, perhaps they are. If we compare ourselves to men like Adolf Hitler or even the neighbor across the street, it’s easy to feel proud of our accomplishments and perceived morality; yet when we examine ourselves in the light of God’s absolute holiness, we can do nothing less than echo Isaiah’s words, “Woe is me! For I am undone…for mine eyes have the seen the King, the Lord of hosts.”

“Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.”

              -Isaiah 1:18

Not only is God holy; He is eternally holy. He has always been and will forever be without fault. Those without Christ, on the other hand, “…grope for the wall like the blind, and we grope as if we had no eyes: we stumble at noonday as in the night; we are in desolate places as dead men.” (Isaiah 59:10) Even those with Christ are nothing more than members of a fallen race, made to “sit in heavenly places in Christ Jesus” through grace and grace alone (Ephesians 2:6, 8), so that no flesh should glory in His presence (1 Corinthians 1:28, 29). It’s not that we’re innocent; we’re simply forgiven. Let us never be so deceived to believe that it’s the other way around.