Mind of a Christian - Chapter 2

To ponder: Our works are NOT filthy rags

So, I've come across a recurring idea over the past few years. Some people in my church group turn to Isaiah 64:6 when talking about their works:

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 TLV)

I understand where they're coming from, especially from a Lutheran / Reformed position of emphasizing salvation through faith alone. And, I affirm that the only way people make it to heaven is through faith in Jesus, and not by works (Ephesians 2:8-9, the classic [1]).

But there's a slippery slope that I had slipped in, and it bears writing it out so that others don't slip in it as well. After hearing the filthy rags assertion, I would start to think:

a) Dang. I can't do anything right.

b) Is God just never happy with me, and I can't do anything to change it?

Surely, other people have thought this, and for the believer, it's not accurate nor healthy to come to these conclusions. I've come across something that's been liberating for me, that I hope may also be liberating for you.

Consider the benediction in Hebrews 13:20-21.

Now the God of peace, who brought up from the dead the great Shepherd of the sheep through the blood of the eternal covenant, even Jesus our Lord,
equip you in every good thing to do His will, working in us that which is pleasing in His sight,
through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen.
(NASB 1995)

And also 1 Thessalonians 4:1,

Finally then, brothers and sisters, we ask you and appeal in the Lord Yeshua - just as you received from us the way you ought to walk and please God (as in fact you are walking) - that you keep progressing more and more.
(TLV)

And so to the believer:

Take heart! God IS happy with what you do for Him. When He rescued you, He doesn't just leave you aside [2].

No - but rather, God is actively transforming you to become more like Him. And in all our bickering and pushback and stumbling, He loves to transform us, because He loves us. Jesus loved us enough to die for us, and He's never stopped loving us as He leads us throughout all our lives. As Isaiah wrote:

Even to your old age I will be the same,

until you are gray I will carry you.I have done it; I will bear you;I will carry you; I will deliver you.(Isaiah 46:4, TLV)

And in all stages of our Christian walk, we may feel like we're not doing good enough. But God's delight in us isn't based on whether we do things perfectly enough. I cited 1 Thess. 4, because St. Paul's points can be written out like this:

1) You heard and do the things that please God - good!

2) There's still room for improvement - that's good, keep going there!

3) But does that mean your current efforts are bad, invalid, or disregarded? By no means!

So there you go.

It is essential to understand that we still fall short, and that we always lean on Jesus' grace to be received by Him [3].

But, also understand that your good works are good, and worthwhile, and have immediate and eternal impact. God sees you, and He sees your efforts. He knows that we have a long way to go, and He wants us to get there - but in the moment, He's happy with what we can do now.

Keep going, good and faithful servant.

Footnotes:

[1] The faith and works dynamic is a nuanced and (unfortunately) often heated topic. It's important to talk about, but for another chapter.

[2] And people have felt this when they become saved, but have a hard time being nourished in a church setting, which is a tragedy.

[3] Daniel 9:17-19 and 1 Timothy 1:15-17 are my personal favorites on this topic, especially in the context of prayer.