The angel did not say, "Cornelius, your prayers and alms are as filthy rags. In spite of this I am going to bring the Gospel to you."

The Bible says the righteous acts of Cornelius came up as a "memorial offering before God."

Notice also what Peter deduced from the testimony of Cornelius.

Then Peter began to speak: "I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism But accepts men from every nation who fear him and do what is right." (Acts 10:34,35—NIV)

When the Bible says God "accepts men from every nation who fear Him and do what is right" it is not referring to Christians but to people who are righteous in their adamic personality.

The first kind of righteousness, self-righteousness, is often referred to as "filthy rags." Where does it say this in the Scriptures?

All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind our sins sweep us away. (Isaiah 64:6—NIV)

Every Evangelical evangelist knows this passage. But how many evangelists know the numerous passages in the Bible that refer to righteous individuals, not those who were righteous by imputed righteousness or because Christ had been formed in them, but righteous because that is what they were as demonstrated by their behavior?

This is the account of Noah. Noah was a righteous man, blameless among the people of his time, and he walked with God. (Genesis 6:9—NIV)

Have nothing to do with a false charge and do not put an innocent or honest person to death, for I will not acquit the guilty. Do not accept a bribe, for a bribe blinds those who see and twists the words of the righteous. (Exodus 23:7,8—NIV)

For the LORD watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish. (Psalms 1:6—NIV)

For surely, O LORD, you bless the righteous; you surround them with your favor as with a shield. (Psalms 5:12—NIV)

And so on and on and on.

It is obvious we are overstating the case when we say that any attempt of an individual to be honest or truthful is as filthy rags in the sight of the Lord.

There is a difference between righteous behavior and religious self-righteousness. Righteous behavior, which the man in the street understands, includes honesty, truthfulness, kindness, patience, friendliness, generosity, humility, compassion, mercy—doing to others what we would have them do to us.

Religious self-righteousness sometimes works against actual righteous behavior. For example, the man who spends all his time in prayer and studying the Bible may neglect his wife and family. He is religiously self-righteous but God views his selfish attempts to earn favor with God, to promote himself in spiritual matters, as filthy rags. Truly righteous behavior would be to take care of those who are dependent on him.

It is not unusual for religion to pervert righteous judgment. Think about how many innocent Christians were murdered by the Catholic Church because they sought Christ in an unorthodox manner! Think of how many Jews have been cruelly treated by Protestants who viewed themselves as followers of Christ!

To be continued.