Many people believe that their sins are the greatest barrier between themselves and God, but often it is their self-righteousness—their reliance on "good works"—that stands in the way. When you trust in your own moral efforts to earn favor with God, you are missing the point of the gospel. Your so-called good works, apart from faith in Christ, are not pleasing to God but are obstacles that deceive you into thinking you don’t need His grace. Salvation doesn’t come from your good deeds; it comes from trusting in the finished work of Christ alone.
The danger of "damnable good works" is that they create a false sense of security, leading you to believe that you can earn God's favor through your own actions. But the gospel makes it clear: your best efforts are insufficient. What separates you from God is not just your sins, but your pride in believing that your goodness can save you. True reconciliation with God comes only through faith in Christ, who alone has accomplished what you never could.
"For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin."
— Romans 3:20