The Inability of the Natural Man to Do Good (Chapter 16, Paragraph 5)

“We cannot by our best works merit pardon of sin or eternal life at the hand of God…”

This section continues to affirm the insufficiency of human effort. Even the best works of the regenerate do not merit anything from God. We are justified by faith, not by works (Gal. 2:16). Eternal life is a gift of grace (Rom. 6:23), not a wage earned by merit. This is the backbone of Reformation theology—the righteousness that justifies is not inherent in us, but imputed from Christ.

“…by reason of the great disproportion that is between them and the glory to come…”

No work we could ever do—no matter how sincere—could be great enough to purchase the glory of heaven. Heaven is of such surpassing worth that it cannot be bought with creaturely currency. Our best efforts are finite, weak, and marred by sin. Isaiah 64:6 reminds us that all our righteous deeds are like filthy rags before God.

“…and the infinite distance that is between us and God, whom by them we can neither profit nor satisfy for the debt of our former sins.”

Here, the confession echoes Job 22:2: “Can a man be profitable to God?” God lacks nothing. Our works add nothing to Him. Moreover, our sins have created an infinite moral debt. No work, no penance, no ritual can ever pay that back. Only the blood of Christ can do that.

“But when we have done all we can, we have done but our duty, and are unprofitable servants…”

Even if a man were to obey perfectly—which he cannot—he would only have done what God commands. Luke 17:10 teaches us to say, “We are unworthy servants; we have only done what was our duty.” There is no surplus righteousness to bank. We owe God everything; He owes us nothing.

“…and because as they are good they proceed from His Spirit…”

This clause is crucial. Any good we do as believers originates not from ourselves but from the indwelling Spirit. Philippians 2:13 affirms that “it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.” Good works are the fruit of grace, not human nature.

“…and as they are wrought by us they are defiled and mixed with so much weakness and imperfection that they cannot endure the severity of God’s judgment.”

Even the regenerate are not without sin. Our best works are still flawed—mingled with self-interest, pride, distraction, or ignorance. Psalm 143:2 says, “Enter not into judgment with your servant, for no one living is righteous before you.” If God were to judge even our good works with perfect justice, none would stand.

This paragraph deeply humbles the believer and strips the unbeliever of self-righteousness. It asserts the absolute necessity of grace—not only for salvation but for every good work. The idea that man has moral ability in himself to please God apart from grace is here denied. No good work can merit pardon. No effort, no matter how sincere, can erase guilt or earn eternal life. We must be born again. We must be indwelt by the Spirit. We must rest in the finished work of Christ.

Application for the Believer:

This truth should drive you to the cross every day. Do you feel the weight of your own spiritual poverty? That’s the point. You cannot climb to heaven on a ladder of your own righteousness. The gospel humbles our pride and exalts God's grace. When you do good, give thanks to God—it is He who worked it in you. When you fail, run to Christ—He alone is your righteousness.

Let this also fill you with joy: though your works are imperfect, your standing before God is not. Christ’s perfect obedience is yours by faith. Your failures do not disqualify you, and your successes do not exalt you. All is of grace. And grace is never earned, only received.