Q62: But why can our good works not be our righteousness before God, or at least a part of it?

Because the righteousness

which can stand before God’s judgment must be absolutely perfect and in complete agreement with the law of God,1

whereas even our best works in this life

are all imperfect and defiled with sin.2

Q63: But do our good works earn nothing, even though God promises to reward them in this life and the next?1

This reward is not earned;

it is a gift of grace.2

Q64: Does this teaching not make people careless and wicked?

No.

It is impossible

that those grafted into Christ

by true faith

should not bring forth

fruits of thankfulness.1