Can someone who is unrighteous do any good deeds in God’s eyes? Prior to salvation you were Unbelieving, impure, defiled, detestable, disobedient, worthless – Titus 1:15-16. Does this describe good works that secure salvation? Obviously not. Here are some other characteristics of us prior to righteousness:
- Wicked – Gen 6:5
- Unclean, filthy menstral cloth – Isaiah 64:6; Romans 5:14-19
- Evil – Isaiah 65:12; Jerimiah 13:23
- Deceitful – Jer 17:9
- Blind to the Holy Spirit – John 14:17
- Under the Law and unjustified – Romans 14:17-18
- Fallen – Romans 3:23
- Dead by Adamic Law – Romans 5:12; Romans 14:9
- Hostile toward God – Romans 8:7
- Unbelieving, impure, defiled, detestable, disobedient, worthless – Titus 1:15-16
Prior to salvation, everything you do, and think are detestable to God. Can he love you enough to save you in that state? Of course. That’s the good news of the Gospel. That you were an enemy of God, detestable, deserving God’s judgement and hell. But by His death and resurrection, Christ not only paid the price for your sins and took upon himself your sins, he also gave you HIS righteousness.
Back to the original questions. Can someone who is righteous do any good deeds in God’s eyes? Of course. Do these good deeds save us? Absolutely not. As mentioned above, Jesus paid it ALL. The good works of righteous people are evidence of salvation. We glorify God for our works and we give God the glory for our works because they are the result of salvation. The good works of a Christian point to Jesus Christ as the source.