Filthy Rags

 
A highly moral and religious young man, trusting in his own righteousness, was asked what he would do if a heap of filthy rags were put down on the floor of his well-ordered shop.
"Kick them out," he replied emphatically.
"And yet you think that God will accept your righteousnesses, which He compares to filthy rags." (Isa. 64:66But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away. (Isaiah 64:6).) His countenance fell, and his mouth was stopped. God says that "Salvation is not of works, lest any man should boast." Eph. 2:99Not of works, lest any man should boast. (Ephesians 2:9).