Unclean Rags

Growing up on a farm, we were always doing dirty jobs, such as shovelling manure. We learned to repair everything we could ourselves to save money. Once we worked for days trying to replace a clutch on an old tractor. By the time it was done, I was covered with grease, oil and dirt.

That day my life was just as dirty on the inside because of my sin. In my mind I felt I was all right because I was doing all the religious things I was supposed to do. Then I read the Bible verse that said ‘all our righteous acts are like filthy rags’. At that moment, I knew I could never be good enough to merit God’s love.

One of the greatest acts of love that God shows us is grace—his forgiveness when we don’t deserve it. Grace is a gift, impossible to earn. Living a good life is important, but we will never be clean enough just by doing good things. We can enjoy God’s grace because Jesus died on the cross for our sins and was raised to new life. When we commit our lives to Christ and rely on God’s grace, we can experience new life as well.

Prayer: Loving God, thank you for sending your Son to die on the cross for us so that our sins may be forgiven. Amen