62. But why cannot our good works be the whole or part of our righteousness before God?

Because the righteousness which can stand before the judgment seat of God, must be perfect throughout and entirely conformable to the divine law, 1) but even our best works in this life are all imperfect and defiled with sin.2)

1) For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed in every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them. Gal. 3:10.

Cursed be he that confirmeth not all the words of the law to do them. And all the people shall say, Amen. Deut. 27:26.

2) But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousness are as filthy rags and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away. Isa. 64:6.

* For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all. James 2:10.

* Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that or which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. Phil. 3:12.

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