"Therefore by the deeds of the law no flesh will be justified in His [God's] sight . . . "
This (above) is a great, and comforting text. If we were to be saved by works, or the deeds of the law, then we could not and would not be saved at all. Where would the "end line" be, where we could know we had finally done enough "good" and meritorious actions, so as to wrench from God His favor, and salvation?
No. Works-religion is the domain of the devil, and of all the false religions of the world. Only "faith-religion" pleases God--since it embraces Jesus *alone* as the sole satisfaction before a Holy Judge for sin, and sinners. Those who trust in their works are proud and vile in the eyes of God. He looks with more mercy on atheists, than He does on the self-righteous.
[Puritan quote of the day: "I would rather believe poor doubting Thomas than confident Peter . . . " --William Bridge, in "A Lifting Up for the Downcast"]
