Righteousness like filthy rags

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Melchior

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I am sure this has probably been discussed before but I will ask anyway.

How do Catholics understand this verse in light of your view that we can do righteous works that are meritorious? I know there is probably a good answer so I figured I should as you all.

Mel
 
Can you give book, verse and chapter? The actual quote would be helpful as well.

Scott
 
This verse from Isaiah (64:6) applies directly to the people he was addressing at the time, who’s righteous acts were only a cover for their sinful hearts. This is how this passage would apply to us as well; good works done only for show are like filthy rags. Only good works done out of love of God have merit.

This verse taken in context, then, is not a blanket condemnation of righteous acts, but only insincere ones (for example, see the previous verse: “**5 ** Thou meetest him that joyfully works righteousness, those that remember thee in thy ways.”).

The fact that Martin Luther had to search all the way back to Isaiah to find a single verse to wrench out of context shows the weakness a theology built on this one verse.
 
The good works we do are not done on our own power, but by the power of the Spirit at work in us:

“for God is at** work in you**, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.” Phil 2:13

“22] But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
23] gentleness, self-control; against such there is no law.” Gal 5

“I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in me, and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for** apart from me** you can do nothing.” John 15:5

IMHO, to even imply that the works done by the Holy Spirit through us are “as filthy rags” in God’s site is blasphemy of a high order.
 
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