David also describes the blessedness of the man to whom the Lord imputes righteousness apart from works: “Blessed is the man to whom the Lord shall not impute sin” (Romans 4:6–8).
If righteousness is attributed to us apart from our works, then it must be attributed to all humanity. Christians and Catholics often respond by arguing that “choosing to believe,” repenting, confessing sins, being baptized, and similar actions are not works. To that I say: if people have to do these things, then they are works. (Galatians 3:12, Romans 10:5)
If they are not works, what are they?