Our Filthy Best

One of the biggest breakthroughs in my life was when God taught me that my best wasn’t good enough for him. I was in college and a lot of things I had put a lot of trust in (including my own ability to be “good”) were collapsing all around me. I have a friend named Greg (the most Christlike man I knew) who was always telling me about his righteousness being a filthy rag before God (Isaiah 64:6). At the same time there were two songs that filled my thoughts.

The first was Steven Curtis Chapman’s ‘Miracle of Mercy’

If the truth was known and a light was shown
On every hidden part of my soul
Most would turn away, shake their head and say
he still has such a long way to go
If the truth was know you'd see that the only good in me
Is Jesus, oh it's Jesus

If the walls could speak of the times I've been weak
When everybody thought I was strong
Could I show my face if it weren't for the grace
Of the one who's known the truth all along
If the walls could speak they'd say that my only hope is the grace
Of Jesus, the grace of Jesus

But, oh the goodness and the grace in Him
He takes it all and makes it mine and causes his light in me to shine
And he loves me with a love that never ends
Just as I am not as I do
Could this be real, could this be true
This could only be a miracle
This could only be the miracle of mercy

The second was ‘Clumsy’ by Chris Rice

You think I’d have it down by now
Been practicin’ for thirty years
I should have walked a thousand miles
So what am I still doin’ here
Reachin’ out for that same old piece of forbidden fruit
I slip and fall and I knock my halo loose
Somebody tell me what’s a boy supposed to do?

I get so clumsy
I get so foolish
I get so stupid
And then I feel so useless
But You’re sayin’ You love me
And You’re still gonna hold me
And that You wanna be near me
‘Cause You’re makin’ me holy
You’re still makin’ me holy, yeah

I’m gonna get it right this time
I’ll be strong and I’ll make You proud
I’ve prayed that prayer a thousand times
But the rooster crows and my tears roll down (again)
Then You remind me You made me from the dust
And I can never, no never, be good enough
And that You’re not gonna let that come between us

From where I stand
Your holiness is up so high I can never reach it
My only hope is to fall on Jesus

I had never been taught the truth that Christ had not only taken away my sin but at the same time given me all of his righteousness. I didn’t hear a voice, but it couldn’t have been any more real. The Spirit put truth in my heart and made me know my best would never be good enough but God’s grace is sufficient.

I have learned so much since then. I am so thankful for an uncompromising, just and holy God. I am so thankful he doesn’t bend the rules. The irony of trusting in my own goodness was how far I lowered the bar in order to measure up. God doesn’t demand less than perfection, but in his goodness and justice he provides all he demands. We have been given perfect obedience through our faith in Jesus Christ. I am thankful for his righteousness, goodness, and beauty. I am broken by the lyric and know it is true “the only good in me is Jesus.”

1 Corinthians 1:30-31

It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. 31Therefore, as it is written: "Let him who boasts boast in the Lord.