Shields of Brass
Salvation by works is not the kind of saving acceptable to God.
It is only through Jesus Christ and His righteousness that we can and will be saved.
For example: We may want a specific brand of shoes (eg NIKE) but there is none available, so we go for a different brand. They serve the same purpose anyway because they are shoes. Shoes are shoes.
The story from the Garden of Eden, Adam and Eve did not see their nakedness because they were clothed with God’s light. But when they sinned, they saw their nudity and made themselves clothes from leaves to cover their bareness.
Instead of running to God and asking forgiveness, they ran away from God. And tried to hide their state by their own effort.
Philippians 3:9 (KJV) And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:
There is a standard for salvation of God. And His standard is righteousness. Not through self-righteousness nor from other means except from Christ Jesus.
Revelation 3:15 – 20 (KJV)
15 I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.
16 So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.
17 Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:
18 I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.
19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.
20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.