Clean

We have all become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous deeds are like a polluted garment. —Isaiah 64:6

In the Old Testament, to be ceremonially unclean meant that you were separated from God. Those who were unclean could not enter the temple to worship. They were outcasts, separated not only from God but also from the community of faith.

That’s why we read in the Bible about lepers who had this contagious disease. They would be quarantined, and if they walked anywhere other people were present, they would have to say, “Unclean! Unclean!” It was a picture of what sin does to our relationship with God and to our relationships with each other. Sin separates.

Even the good things we do, the “spiritual acts” that make us look good to others, are stained with sin. They’re defiled, polluted, unclean. We cannot plead any righteousness of our own.

If we want to stand in God’s presence faultless, it’s going to be because we are dressed in His righteousness alone—the righteousness of Christ who died for our sins. Through His sacrifice, we can become clean.