“knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, that we might be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law; for by the works of the law no flesh shall be justified” (Galatians 2:16).
What shall we say then? That the Gentiles, which followed not after righteousness, have attained to righteousness, even the righteousness which is of faith. But Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness, hath not attained to the law of righteousness. Wherefore? Because [they sought it] not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumblingstone; As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumblingstone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed” (Romans 9:30-33).
Though the Romans 9 passage is explicitly addressed to Israel (that is, to the Jews) it may be applied to anyone who seeks to establish their own “righteousness” through their meritourious works. The prophet Isaiah rightly observed that “all our righteousness is as filthy rags” before a Holy God. What have we to offer apart from His goodness? Nothing. Indeed, we produce NO good works that would “merit: Hid grace AT ALL.
Rather, “we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them” (Ephesians 2:10). When we trust in Christ, HE works in and through us to produce HIS good works in our lives, because as He told His Disciples, “without me you can do nothing” (John 15:5a).
That is why Saint Paul rightly describes our lives now as merely exchanged — we are dead, and Christ lives through us. “ I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me” (Galatians 2:20). No “good works” we do avail to our salvation — because they are not “ours,” they are HIS, done through us, by His Holy Spirit, in His power, produced by His grace! The only thing we do is DIE. That which prevents us from “working the works” of God is trying to get up from our own mortification!
Rightly did Saint Cyprian observe that “All our power to do good comes from God.”
“Though the Romans 9 passage is explicitly addressed to Israel (that is, to the Jews) it may be applied to anyone who seeks to establish their own “righteousness” through their meritourious works. The prophet Isaiah rightly observed that “all our righteousness is as filthy rags” before a Holy God. What have we to offer apart from His goodness? Nothing. Indeed, we produce NO good works that would “merit: Hid grace AT ALL.”
True, however as St. James says, faith without works is dead. All who sincerely believe in Christ will try to live their life to the best of their ability according to his teachings. Faith AND works. Scripture AND tradition. You cannot have the one without the other.
Does not Christ say, “whatsoever you did for the least of these, you also did for me?”
Do not assume that, as a Catholic, I seek to justify myself before God by my works. You would be mistaken if you thought that. The ground of my justification before God is my adoption into his family as his son, a privilege that was won for me at the Cross.