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. 64:6.) His countenance fell, and his mouth was stopped. God says that "Salvation is not of works, lest any man should boast." Eph. 2:9.