There are many examples in scripture that describe the importance of "character" in a "conduct" or examples of holiness with weak or absent righteousness or righteousness with weak or absent holiness. It is enjoyable and personal to read and glean these passages and analyze their teachings. Having scripture explained by others (including this site) is fine, but learning together with the Holy Spirit should be a life joy and adventure.
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Probably one of the most misplaced teachings, however, is in the inference that “all our good works are like filthy rags (garments) to God, and we just need to rest in His finished work.” His good works (righteousness) expressed through us are certainly not filthy rags if they are His Holy Spirit living through us!
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They can, however, be filthy if done from a life being lived in unrepentant and unconcerned sin (lack of holiness). This was the case for the Israelites in Isaiah. God would indeed, “meet him who rejoices in doing righteousness, Who remembers You in Your ways” (Isaiah 64:5). But the Israelites had long-term, unrepentant sin that fouled (corrupted, stained, contaminated) their righteous deeds. The deeds, themselves, weren’t filthy but were stained to filthiness by unrepentant sin. Good works represented as garments (clean, stained, wrong, or lack thereof) is a frequent subject of the New Testament, but our overall goal is, “It was given to her to clothe herself in fine linen, bright and clean; for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints” (Rev 19:8). Interestingly, the passage about Isaiah’s “filthy garments” continues with God as the potter and the Israelites as His clay (Isaiah 64:8), reflecting Ephesians 2:10 that, “we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works.
My "Personal Relationship" Holiness/Righteousness List
Who makes a list of good things to do for God? Isn’t that like making another version of the “do’s and don’ts” law which we are now exempt from? God’s law, however, was never about a list of “do’s and don’ts” but about how to have the most full, perfect, and real life, both temporally and eternally, in the way God intended it. Also, we are not “exempt” from God’s law, but are fulfilling it through the law of love: from God’s love, which forgives our sins through His Son, and through loving God, in the way He told us and showed us through His Son. Our expression of faith, together with the Holy Spirit’s power, beautifully fulfills the spirit of the law which was previously only known by its letter.
So, this is my tiny “list” of some modern-day examples of holiness and righteousness gleaned from Jesus and His New Testament teaching. Although everything in this list is perfused, encased, and irradiating my constant hypocrisy and failure, I will greatly boast about the healing, peace, purpose, and power that God has given through wanting His ways in my life, trying them, and pursuing them in the smallest way. “When all things are subjected to Him [Jesus], then the Son Himself also will be subjected to the One who subjected all things to Him, so that God may be all in all.” (1 Corinthians 15:28)
Who makes a list of good things to do for God? Isn’t that like making another version of the “do’s and don’ts” law which we are now exempt from? God’s law, however, was never about a list of “do’s and don’ts” but about how to have the most full, perfect, and real life, both temporally and eternally, in the way God intended it. Also, we are not “exempt” from God’s law, but are fulfilling it through the law of love: from God’s love, which forgives our sins through His Son, and through loving God, in the way He told us and showed us through His Son. Our expression of faith, together with the Holy Spirit’s power, beautifully fulfills the spirit of the law which was previously only known by its letter.
So, this is my tiny “list” of some modern-day examples of holiness and righteousness gleaned from Jesus and His New Testament teaching. Although everything in this list is perfused, encased, and irradiating my constant hypocrisy and failure, I will greatly boast about the healing, peace, purpose, and power that God has given through wanting His ways in my life, trying them, and pursuing them in the smallest way. “When all things are subjected to Him [Jesus], then the Son Himself also will be subjected to the One who subjected all things to Him, so that God may be all in all.” (1 Corinthians 15:28)
