What does it mean that our righteousness is like filthy rags?

Isaiah 64:6 states that all our righteousness is as filthy rags, highlighting the seriousness of our condition before a holy God. This emphasizes that we are incapable of achieving the standard of holiness required by God’s law. Thus, our understanding of righteousness must shift from self-reliance to reliance on Jesus Christ, whose righteousness is imputed to us. Our works cannot earn salvation; it is by grace that we have been saved through faith (Ephesians 2:8-9). Recognizing our inability and need for Christ to be our righteousness leads to a deeper appreciation for the grace that has been lavished upon us as God's chosen people.