These good deeds are not acceptable to God, because they are without the only motive with which God is pleased – love to God and humble faith in Christ (Hebrews 11:6). When the Pharisaical Jews kept every outward commandment of the Law, God was not pleased with them because every act was marred by the sinful enmity of their hearts. Their best deeds were as filthy rags in the sight of our Holy God (Is. 64:6). Article XIII of the Church of England expresses this truth very clearly – ‘Works done before the grace of Christ and the inspiration of His Spirit are not pleasant to God, forasmuch as they spring not of faith in Jesus Christ.’ There is therefore not a single thing that a man can do that will please God, if he has not been born again of the Holy Spirit. 

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