If our righteousness is like filthy rags, how can we do good works and be holy?

Isaiah 64:6 But we are all like an unclean thing, and all our righteousness are like filthy rags; We all fade as a leaf, and our iniquities, like the wind have taken us away.

It's only by the power of the Holy Spirit that any person can do truly good works--because God does the work. 

God doesn’t want to reform us. God wants to Transform us with the transformation that is only available in Jesus Christ.  God isn’t looking for positive attitudes. God's goal is total metamorphosis.  We can’t improve or reform the self. We must die to self and live to Christ.

In fact, He has already given us everything we need to walk in holiness right now.  Don't put off to some future day what God has already given you today.  Don't tell God He can't do it when His Word, the Bible says that He has done it.  Ask, rather, "How can I take hold of this thing that you are trying to give me, Lord?"

Many try vainly to live by a law, a set of rules or principles, which is simply a line drawn in the sand. From this futility, Jesus set us free by His grace. Grace moves by the leading of the Holy Spirit, guiding and giving power for righteousness. In the leading of the Spirit, there is no gray area. In each instance, we either obey the Holy Spirit or we do not. We either yield to His power or we do not.

God doesn’t want self-improvement. God wants transfiguration.

Good works are simply this: the glory of the living God flowing out through someone who has yielded himself or herself to God.  

Note, that the operative word on our part is "yielded."

You need to understand that sin is failing to attain to the glory of God.  Would anyone like to claim to have attained to the glory of God?

God is the One Who is working.

• Actually, it is God working in that person who does the work through that person. 
• This is a gift of God, lest anyone should boast.  It's another free gift that God gives with salvation. 
• Every work of the unsaved person is as an unclean thing. 
• Every work of a saved person that doesn't flow from the throne of God is an unclean thing. 
• Fellowship with the creator results in the flow of the anointing of God, the Holy Spirit, which, in turn, yields the fruit of the Spirit. 
• That is, the Spirit's Own fruit in the believer--in you if you can receive it.

You can be one of those who is saved.

Click to understand how you can be born again?