Filthy Rags

Isaiah 64:6

we are all like an unclean thing,
And all our righteousnesses are like filthy rags;
We all fade as a leaf,
And our iniquities, like the wind,
Have taken us away.

What are your trusting in? 

Philip reminded us this morning at our meeting of how the Pharisees trusted in their law keeping. They excelled in keeping up their appearance of righteousness, they were very religious and pious. The Lord Jesus told the story of the Pharisee and the tax collector (who were considered the worst of the worst). And the story unfolds of this Pharisee telling God how good he is and how bad the other man is.

Luke 18 9 Also He spoke this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: 10 “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, ‘God, I thank You that I am not like other men—extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I possess.’ 13 And the tax collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me a sinner!’ 14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”

He certainly thought highly of himself and also thought that God would too. But as far as God was concerned this man’s righteousness was like filthy rags before the Lord, why? Philip reminded us that we are not saved by our works, we cannot get to heaven just by being as good as we can. Every religion apart from Christianity is based on works, you have to do something to appease your god. But the one true God has been appeased, it was when His son was sacrificed on the cross for all who will repent and believe in Him. Those trusting in works will never succeed. 

Salvation does not come to you because you go to church each week, 
salvation does not come to you because you read your Bible daily, salvation does not come to you because you prayed a sinners prayer, 
salvation does not come to you because you do good things to people, 
salvation does not come to you because you say hail Mary, salvation does not come to you because your were christened as a child, 
salvation does not come to you because you do all these things.

The Pharisee could do most of these things and yet he did not have salvation, why? Because he trusted in himself and all the works he did and not on the salvation given freely by grace from God. The tax collector understood his state, he was a sinner and was in need of God’s mercy. Only when we recognise our sinful state and our need can we be saved.

Repent of your sin, believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved. Saved from what? Saved from the bondage of sin, saved from guilt, saved from shame, saved from religious bondage, saved from God’s wrath, saved from God’s judgment. And saved too receive new life in Christ and after natural death eternal life. No other god can give you this, no government can promise you this, and no religious rule keeping that is in the guise of Christianity can give you this. The world isn't merciful, religion isn't merciful, man isn't merciful, God is, receive His mercy today. 

Romans 3:24