Trying to cover ourselves with our own righteousness is futile because God sees only our inner corruption; true covering comes only from God's imputed righteousness.
When we attempt to cover ourselves, we rely on our own efforts and outward appearances, which are like 'filthy rags' to God. Les Feldick explains that our own righteousness cannot hide our sinful nature. Instead, God, through faith, clothes believers with the garments of salvation and the robe of righteousness, so that He sees Christ, not us.
Isaiah 61:10 — This verse directly answers the question by contrasting self-covering with God's covering: He clothes us with salvation and covers us with righteousness.
The Bible teaches that human attempts at righteousness are inadequate. In Romans 3, Paul quotes the Old Testament to show that 'there is none righteous, no, not one' (Romans 3:10). Our own efforts at self-justification are likened to 'filthy rags' (Isaiah 64:6). However, God offers a different covering. Isaiah 61:10 declares, 'I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness.' This righteousness is not our own but is given by God. In Romans 3:22, we read that 'the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe.'
Les Feldick emphasizes that when we try to cover ourselves, we are attempting to present our own righteousness to God, which is impossible. He explains that our own righteousness is 'filthy rags' and that God sees through our self-made veneer to the corruption within. Instead, God provides a perfect covering through the imputed righteousness of Christ. Les uses the example of Adam and Eve, where God clothed them with coats of skins—pointing to the blood sacrifice and the covering of righteousness. He then connects this to Isaiah 61:10 and Romans 3, showing that God covers believers with the same righteousness when they believe. Les stresses that we cannot do anything for our salvation except believe; we must 'keep our hands off.' Once we believe, God sees us covered with Christ's righteousness, not our own.
Our own righteousness is described as 'filthy rags' (Isaiah 64:6). Les Feldick explains that we cannot see our own righteousness, and God does not see it either. When we try to cover ourselves, we are relying on a fragile outward veneer that cannot hide our inner corruption. God's covering is different—it is His own righteousness, imputed to us.
When we believe, God clothes us with the garments of salvation and covers us with the robe of righteousness (Isaiah 61:10). This is the imputed righteousness of God—it is not our own, but Christ's righteousness that God sees when He looks at us. Les Feldick uses the analogy of a bridegroom or bride adorned in beauty: even plainest girl is beautiful on her wedding day. In God's sight, believers are covered with something beautiful—His righteousness.
Believing does not mean we become sinless. Les Feldick clarifies that believers can still sin, but their situation is entirely different from someone trying to maintain a self-made veneer. The covering of God's righteousness is imputed, meaning it is a legal declaration, not an infusion that makes us perfect. God sees us as righteous because of Christ, even though we are not in ourselves.
God's Joy in Clothing Us with Salvation
Les teaches that God's whole purpose is to bring us to salvation, and He clothes believers with the garments of salvation, which is the imputed righteousness of God.
The Robe of Righteousness Is Not Ours
Les explains that God covers us with His own righteousness, not ours, and that we cannot see our own righteousness—only God's imputed righteousness is visible to Him.
God Sees Christ, Not Us
Les emphasizes that once we believe, God looks at us and sees Christ's righteousness, not our own failures or sins.
Covering Comes by Believing
Les points out that the righteousness of God is placed upon all that believe, and we get this beautiful covering by believing, not by works.
Our Righteousness Is Filthy Rags
Les contrasts our own righteousness with God's, saying ours are 'filthy rags,' but God sees His own righteousness when He looks at believers.
Believing Unto Righteousness
Les connects believing with the heart to receiving the righteousness of Christ, which is imputed to us.
Imputed Righteousness, Not Just 'Saved'
Les suggests that we might better say we have been 'imputed righteousness' rather than just 'saved,' because this is exactly what God does when we believe.
Adam and Eve's Imputed Righteousness
Les shows that even in Genesis, Adam and Eve received imputed righteousness when God clothed them, prefiguring the same covering for believers.
Isaiah 61:10: I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels.
This verse shows God's direct action of clothing and covering, contrasting with self-covering.
Romans 3:22: Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:
Paul explains that God's righteousness is imputed to all who believe, which is the covering Les references.
Isaiah 64:6: But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.
This verse underscores the futility of self-righteousness, supporting the idea that self-covering fails.
No, the Bible says our own righteousness is like filthy rags. Les Feldick teaches that trying to cover ourselves with our own efforts is futile because God still sees our inner corruption. Only God's imputed righteousness, received by faith, provides a true covering.
We receive God's righteousness by believing. When we believe the gospel, God clothes us with the righteousness of Christ. It is a gift of grace, not something we earn. Les Feldick emphasizes that we simply 'believe' and keep our hands off.
Yes, believers can still sin, but their standing before God is secure because they are covered with Christ's righteousness. The covering is imputed, not infused, meaning God declares us righteous for Christ's sake, not because we are sinless.
Watch the Teaching: What the Bible Really Says About God's Righteousness — Romans 3