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.
Ping
Now, now, you know that's not a fair question to ask of those who are apparently befuddled by what "Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself" might mean (at least I haven't gotten an answer as to what the Calvinist interpretation might be), much less why it is "like to" the greatest commandment, to "love the Lord, thy God, with thy whole heart and with thy whole soul and with thy whole strength and with thy whole mind."
What is not of faith is sin my friend.. read the words of Christ
Mat 7:22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
Mat 7:23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
Jesus calls their work iniquity. It was sin before God, because it was not work which He ordained..
Work done with the intent of pleasing God, is self serving ..it is the work he does through us that pleases Him .. often we do not even think about it as a good work, it is a natural response not an intentional