This is the absolute foundation of all our hope before God. HE is faithful, HE is righteous, HE has mercy!! Never make the mistake of thinking for even one moment that we can approach God from a position of worthiness. That we could ever say to Him "measure my works, judge me according to my own good deeds, and then I will enter heaven with my head held high!" For if our goodness is measured according to the truth of God's law we would all be destroyed! NO ONE is, no one CAN BE righteous before God. Isaiah 64.6 tells us that all our righteous deeds are filthy rags, unclean things, detestable in God's sight. Do not think that you are any different. There has been, in all the history of the world, only one truly righteous person. His name is Jesus Christ. He alone fulfilled the total law of God, He alone can be judged for His righteous deeds, and He ALONE died to pay for the sins of His people, and HE ALONE has been raised to life forever because of our justification. We have hope in Him alone!
And that hope is this: God has promised to count the death of Jesus as if it were ours in payment, AND the righteous life of Jesus as if it is ours for full reward.
This promise is made to all who call upon Him for mercy. Mercy is undeserved; it is without any merit in the one who asks. By definition, if you deserve it, it IS NOT mercy!! The hope we have is that since God promised it, and since we know His character, then we know that His promise is sure!! Here is where we make our stand... to plead for mercy, only found THROUGH Christ, freely and righteously offered IN CHRIST because God fully and justly punished our sin in the death OF CHRIST!!! Oh beloved! I beg you, cast away any pretense of your works being found acceptable. I assure you, on the authority of scripture, that they will not be!! Instead cast yourself upon the mercy of God in Christ - you will not be rejected, and you WILL find mercy, and forgiveness of sin in Him.