Those are the key words Judith, if God is so offended by men trying to work their way to him that he used graphic language to describe those works it is worth repeating
To the Jews touching a woman having her period was as unclean as touching a dead decaying body .. in order for her to become touchable she had to have a ritual cleaning
God is pretty clear here..works done to please Him are filthy to Him, untouchable. and need cleansing to be clean again ... We should not shrink from the word of God, but embrace it
This can get pretty complicated when it shouldn’t be.
You say “works done to please Him are filthy to Him”
It seems that clarity is needed here.
It depends on the meaning of “works” and “pleasing Him”.
For example, the 25th chapter of Matthew:
“the King will then say to those at his right hand, ‘Come O blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me. Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord when did we see thee hungry and feed thee...” and you know the rest of that story.
Were these works—or not?
In the parable of the owner of the vineyard whose two sons differed in their approach to going out to work: one said “no” but ended up going and the other said “yes” but didn’t go. Jesus asked in which one the Father was most pleased. Did that son work—or not?
When the Good Samaritan stopped by the side of the road to help the injured man, even to the point of caring for his wounds, taking him to lodging and promising to return if more was needed——was that works? or not?
I think we all can understand that there is a very human tendency, one lacking in humility before God, to do “good works” but with darkened minds and hearts rather than pure magnanimity. That would be in error in all situations.
But for those who, because they are Christ-bearers, do deeds of charity and justice for the sake of God and for the fulfillment of the 2nd great commandment—are those deeds to be called “works to buy salvation”; are they “filthy rags”?
Let’s get it clarified and separate the the false from the true, the fulfillment of Christian love for the glory of God, and the “works” of impure motives, which do not give glory to God.
You post to me as though you think I am ignorant. FYI, my mother was Jewish. I know exactly what the scripture means. There was no need to be so graphic.
I have nothing further to say to you, Rennie.