An Indian and a white man, at a gospel meeting together, were both brought under conviction of sin by the same sermon. The Indian shortly afterward received Christ as his Savior and was led to rejoice in pardoning mercy. The white man for a long time was under great distress of mind, and at times was ready to despair. At last he too was brought to see the way and to rejoice in the forgiveness of his sins.
Some time afterward, meeting his red brother, the white man said: "How is it, brother, that I should be so long under conviction of sin, while you found comfort so soon?"
"Oh, brother," replied the Indian, "me tell you. There come along a rich prince. He propose to give you a new coat. You look at your coat, and say: 'I don't know; my coat pretty good. I think it will do a little longer.'
"The rich man then offer me new coat. I look at my old blanket. I say, 'This rag good for nothing.' I fling my blanket away and take the new coat. Just so, brother, you try to keep your own righteousness for some time. You think it good; you don't like to give it up! But I, poor Indian, had nothing; so I glad at once to receive the Lord Jesus Christ as my righteousness."
Sinner, are you like the white man, trying to hold on to some fancied goodness in yourself? Have you not discovered that what God says of you is true? "All our righteousnesses are as filthy rags." God says: "All have sinned, and come short of the glory of God."
Throw away the old blanket of your own righteousness. It isn't fit for the holy presence of God. Take Christ, and you will then be able to sing:
"Clad in this robe, how bright I shine!
Angels possess not such a dress;
Angels have not a robe like mine—
Jesus the Lord's my righteousness."