He who trusts in his own righteousness, trusts in a poor thing, God compares it to “filthy rags.”
BUT we are all an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.
Isaiah 64:6.
Because our righteousness in the sight of God, is no good. He has given us a righteousness in Christ; but we, like the Jews, are trying to establish our own, instead of finding it in Jesus.
FOR they being ignorant of God’s rightness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.
FOR Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.
Romans 10:3-4.
Many say, “I am doing the best I can,” and yet they are not, for if they were, they would accept Christ, for this righteousness is obtained by faith in Him.
EVEN the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe.
Romans 3:22.
JESUS saith unto him, I am the way, and the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
John 14:6.
We can approach God only in Christ.
NEITHER is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
Acts 4:12.
Again, because our righteousness is of such a poor brand, Jesus declared we must be “born again” so that we can have a nature that will produce something better.
EXCEPT a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
John 3:3.