Forgiveness - The Antidote to Resentment or Judgment

ALL of our righteousness is like filthy rags... Isaiah 64:6

I was thinking about this scripture and I got a good word picture of what this means...  I began visualizing a greasy, dirty rag and imagining myself trying to clean a window with it or even myself with it.  Then I began to see how God thinks of me trying to be good or clean on my own, by my own works!  Sometimes we think we are good and clean when we are really black as sin to God. He sees two classes of people:  Sinners and Sinners Save by Grace. We are all born sinners.  This also reminds me of another common saying I have heard many times...

"You don't get good to get God, you get God to get good"

The same principle can be stated, "You don't get clean to get God, you get God to get clean".

(I believe it can also be a true statement when you replace "clean" in the above statement with many other attributes of God: love, forgiveness, light, truth, patience, righteousness, joy, peace, happiness, etc)

First, I have to say that I don't agree with the statement as an absolute (unless applied to God)... but only in relative or finite terms when it applies to humans.  Let me explain...  I would define real "clean" or "good" as infinite or absolute attributes of God, but when applied to the finite (our bodies) it is relative to the degree that we can absorb God and His goodness/attributes, etc.  This is why we need God's Mercy and Grace to fill the gap between the infinite/absolute and our finite/imperfect good or righteousness in our lives so we can be in His presence - for the sin in us cannot abide in/with God.  Thank God for His Love, Grace and Mercy - it is His Blood - the blood of Jesus - that covers/cleans us where we lack!

Did you know that Jesus said there is a catch to obtaining forgiveness?  The only condition for God's forgiveness for us is that we forgive others.  It is the same with judgment - which is the converse of forgiveness - God says to judge not lest you be judged, but IF you do judge, then it is by the same standard of judgment that will be applied back to you.  So we ought to be very quick to forgive and slow to judge!

This is why the greatest commandment to Love the Lord your God with all thy heart, soul, mind and strength is so important.  When we TRULY begin to aspire to love Him with ALL our HEART, SOUL, MIND and STRENGTH.  By doing this, it makes us better people because we then gain access to God's infinite GRACE (goodness/gifts) by tapping into the ground - the source - of our being which is Jesus.  Then and only then are we able to start being better and cleaner people - everyone one at their own level or degree because NOBODY but God can lay a claim on pure good or cleanliness in this life.  We are to "strive" toward perfection having never attained, but ever persevering! Then and only then can we then do a better job of loving our neighbor as ourselves which is the second greatest commandment and like unto the first - according to Jesus.