"Hearken unto me, ye stout-hearted, that are far from righteousness: I bring near my righteousness; it shall not be far off, and my salvation shall not tarry. We are are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags." --- Isaiah 46:12, 13; 64:6.
True religion is founded upon the knowledge of the true God. Sinners are apt to think that they have a high opinion of God, because they think highly of his mercy; whereas God is as holy and just as he is merciful, and he will as certainly punish the guilty as he will pardon the penitent and believing soul.
"God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are," says every self-righteous sinner; not considering that if God were extreme to mark what is amiss, no flesh living could be justified. "God be merciful to me a sinner," says every true Christian and real believer. Till this be thy language, O my soul; till thou feelest thyself a lost, ruined and helpless sinner; till thou art brought to acknowledge the justice of God in thy condemnation; Till thou art driven to Christ as thy only refuge and hope of salvation; thou art ignorant of God's righteousness, art going about to establish thine own righteousness, and thou dost not submit to the righteousness of Christ.
I am, saith Christ, the way;
Now, if we credit him,
All other paths must lead astray
How fair soe'er they seem.
I am, saith Christ, the truth;
Then all that lacks this test,
Proceed it from an angel's mouth,
Is but a lie at best.
I am, saith Christ, the Life;
Let this be seen by faith;
It follows, without further strife,
That all besides is death.