Anyway, let me take a stab at that works idea. Good works are fine, in and of themselves. The filthy rags idea, does not mean that there is no good in man, it simply means there is no good in man that can please God for salvation purposes. Other than that, good works are good, we should all walk in them. There, you have my humble opinion.
BTW, I went to St James Catholic high school in Grand Forks. My mother went to the public school, Grand Forks Central, so I had no iron in the fire, but I was upset when Grand Forks Central bowed to PC, and changed their nickname from the Redskins to the Knights. I hate PC, and Bismarck won the state high school hockey championship. Go Blackhawks. Later.