In order to achieve true righteousness, it is important to realize that it cannot be earned solely by one’s own deeds or blind adherence to commandments.

Inner Transformation: The True Path to Righteousness

In order to achieve true righteousness, it is important to realize that it cannot be earned solely by one’s own deeds or blind adherence to commandments. The literature emphasizes that attempts to achieve righteousness through personal efforts are doomed; instead, one must rely on deep faith and inner transformation. One source states clearly:

"By one’s own efforts, righteousness cannot be achieved.

So what happens?

The pagans, although they did not actively seek righteousness, nevertheless attained it—a righteousness based on faith. But Israel, while aspiring to the law of righteousness, never reached it. Why? Because their aspirations were founded not on faith but on works..." (source: link txt)

This teaching implies that rather than trying to establish one’s moral worth through human effort, it is necessary to undergo an inner transformation—to shift from pride in works to humble faith. Another text cautions against attempts to find righteousness merely by following external prescriptions:

"Let us not be deceived by superstitions and prejudices... If any of those who promised God at the sacred Baptism do not live at all for themselves but live for the Dead and the Risen One in order to seek righteousness from [the fulfillment of] the Law, then he is to be condemned for it..." (source: link txt)

Thus, to attain righteousness, one must take several crucial steps:
1. Recognize that the law and external rites cannot heal the human soul nor ensure true transformation.
2. Refrain from trying to achieve righteousness solely through the performance of duties, understanding that it is inner faith, humility, and sincerity that form the foundation of your spiritual life.
3. Focus on seeking true knowledge and inner transformation, allowing you to see your essence in its entirety and to embrace the change that comes from a deep personal revelation.

These steps, as indicated in the cited sources, show that the path to righteousness is primarily one of inner transformation—abandoning the illusion of one’s own strength and accepting faith as the basis for achieving divine truth.

Supporting citation(s):
"By one’s own efforts, righteousness cannot be achieved.

So what happens?

The pagans, although they did not actively seek righteousness, nevertheless attained it—a righteousness based on faith. But Israel, while aspiring to the law of righteousness, never reached it. Why? Because their aspirations were founded not on faith but on works, and they stumbled over the 'stumbling stone,' as it is written: 'Behold, I place a stone in Zion, and those who stumble over it will fall; but he who believes in it will not be put to shame.'" (source: link txt)

"Let us not be deceived by the superstitions and prejudices that have spread, but rather let us heed what is written. For Basil the Great states: 'Truly, a most wicked custom has deceived us; indeed, the cause of many great evils was the distortion of human tradition.' If any of those who promised God at the sacred Baptism fail to live for themselves and instead live for the Dead and the Risen One in order to seek righteousness from [the fulfillment of] the Law, then he is to be condemned for it, just as for adultery..." (source: link txt)