Isa. 64:6

6 But we are all as an unclean [tame'] thing, and all our righteousnesses [tsadaqah] are as filthy [`ed] rags [beged]; and we all do fade [nabel] [balal] as a leaf [`aleh]; and our iniquities [`avon], like the wind [ruwach], have taken us away [nasa']. KJV-Interlinear

6 For all of us have become like one who is unclean, And all our righteous deeds are like a filthy garment; And all of us wither like a leaf, And our iniquities, like the wind, take us away. NASB

Isaiah continues in the description of the unworthiness of humanity. Despite all of man s uncleanness, God still offers a plan for his salvation.

Salvation is simply the method of saving man from being eternally separated from God.

Uncleanness is man s state of imperfection. We become imperfect when we sin. And, actually we are all born imperfect, or spiritually dead, and therefore in a state of sin. In Adam all have sinned. By means of one man, Adam, the human race died and was separated from God. But too, by means of one man, Christ, all have the opportunity to be saved. We just have to believe in Christ, thus acknowledging who and what He is, and we are automatically saved from eternal condemnation. That is, eternal separation from God.

Those who reject Christ will be separated from Him forever. That separation results in being in the Lake of Fire, or eternal chaos, eternal terror, eternal lack of controls in ones life, eternal misery.

On our best day, man s righteousnesses, or man s perfections are now described in pretty disgusting terms.

Man s righteousnesses are as filthy rags.

Filthy is the word for menstrual, and rags are the items used by the female in maintaining some semblance of hygiene.

However, in this case, the rags are never washed, never cleaned, but they are used over and over, again and again, month after month, every day, for all of ones life.

Back in Isaiah s day, and of course, for many centuries, women did not have the modern feminine disposable products that exist today. They had to use rags of various kinds. One presumes that they had several sets of rags in order to have a clean set while the used set was being washed. This of course would be a daily, or several times daily, ritual the women would have to endure during their monthly cycle.

Isaiah takes this event, in the womans life, and uses it to describe the righteousness of humanity.

On man s best day, his nobility, his righteousness, man s virtue, is no better than the state of the womans menstrual rags. Rags that have never been washed, but are used over and over again.

Man, without Bible doctrine in his soul, cannot even recognize that his goodness is completely filthy in Gods sight.

Man is a sinner. Man is a do-gooder. And, man cannot correct his filthy state on his own.

God is the only one who can clean up the filth.

Man cannot approach God in a state of filth. To attempt so, would be a tremendous arrogance and stupidity. Just roll yourself in some manure, borrow your wife s personal products and use them for your perfume and ornaments on your Sunday best suit, and then try to enter into some extremely formal social event.

You would be stopped at the door due to the stench and filth you are carrying. No one would want to be near you.

So it is with God. You have to be cleaned up before He will even deal with you.

Your first order of cleanup is salvation. That is followed by a daily dose of confession, a daily shower or washing if you will. Most folks clean up themselves several times a day. They wash their hands after their bathroom visits, before eating, after work, and so forth.

Your daily life provides you with many good examples, which describe the confession process.

So it is with God, you have to be clean before He will even receive you. Therefore, your spiritual life, your prayers, everything you do, must be done while in fellowship in order for God to interact with you. His protection and blessings are also active when you are in fellowship. Inactive when you get out of fellowship.

When you ignore your spiritual life, you not only stink, but also your life withers away, like a dead leaf. Your life hasn t even the strength to stand against a gentle breeze.

Living inside of Gods sphere of fellowship is the only place of strength, and security, and blessing.

Now is the time to post a prayer.