Lord’s Day 24
Q62. Why can't the good we do make us right with God, or at least help make us right with him?
Because the righteousness which can pass God's judgment must be entirely perfect and must in every way measure up to the divine law. But even the very best we do in this life is imperfect and stained with sin.
Scripture Proofs — King James Version
Romans 3:20
“Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.”
Galatians 3:10
“For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them.”
Deuteronomy 27:26
“Cursed be he that confirmeth not all the words of this law to do them. And all the people shall say, Amen.”
Isaiah 64:6
“But we are all as an unclean , and all our righteousnesses as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.”
Modernized Commentary — Zacharias Ursinus (1616)
Question
62. But why can't our good works serve as the whole or even part of our righteousness before God?
Answer. Because the righteousness that can be approved at God's tribunal must be absolutely perfect and fully conformable to the divine law in every respect, and our best works in this life are all imperfect and tainted by sin.