For we have all become like one who is unclean [ceremonially, like a leper], and all our righteousness (our best deeds of rightness and justice) is like filthy rags or a polluted garment; we all fade like a leaf, and our iniquities, like the wind, take us away [far from God's favor, hurrying us toward destruction]. Isaiah 64:6. AMP
The root of our humanity is founded in Adam's sin. Every inch of our human nature is stewed in sin. Of this nature, the bible says that there is nothing good (Romans 3:10). Our very best is stained with the same corruption that has defiled our humanity. This is why any attempt at pleasing God by our good works will fail because God is absolutely holy, and we are absolutely corrupt in our humanity. Isaiah captured this when he wrote, "All our righteousness (our best deeds of rightness and justice) is like filthy rags or a polluted garment."
In the book of Acts, God sent an angel to a man called Cornelius who was full of good deeds, and asked him to send for apostle Peter who will tell him what he ought to do. True, God saw his good deeds, but they fell short of satisfying the righteous requirements of His law for righteousness. This truth remains relevant to us today too, our good works, as wonderful as they may be, cannot procure salvation for us. As was explained earlier, our human nature is corrupted, and, therefore, cannot generate what can satisfy God's righteous demands. Only those saved by the grace of God are capable of doing good works that can satisfy God because such people have been imputed with the life of God by the regeneration of the Holy Spirit. Ephesians 2:10 says that we have been saved for good works, confirming that apart from the new life, we are incapable of any good works that can satisfy God. So, are you trying to please God by your own works? It is an exercise in futility, only in Christ is anything worthy of God possible.
Toni
