### 62. Q. Why can’t our good works be our righteousness before God, or at least a part of our righteousness?

**A**. Because the righteousness which can pass God’s judgment must be entirely perfect and must in every way measure up to the divine law.<sup>1</sup> But even our best works in this life are all imperfect and stained with sin.<sup>2</sup>

<sup>1</sup> [Rom. 3:20](/index.php/get-passage/Romans+3:20); [Gal. 3:10](/index.php/get-passage/Galatians+3:10) ([Deut. 27:26](/index.php/get-passage/Deuteronomy+27:26))
<sup>2</sup> [Isa. 64:6](/index.php/get-passage/Isaiah+64:6)