The Apostle Paul makes it clear in Galatians 2:15-21 that we are not justified by anything other than faith in Jesus. There are no amount of works, achievements, merits, education, adherence to a moral code, the law or anything else that can justify us in the presence of a holy God. This free gift from God requires that we place our faith in Jesus as Lord and Savior to be justified. Nothing else can atone for our sins.