In Romans 2 God condemns people who exhibit a superficial, external morality in order to be seen as respectable. In Romans 3 God condemns religious people who go about doing good deeds in order to be seen as respectable. In these chapters the Apostle Paul repeatedly emphasizes that it is not good conduct that brings a person into favor with almighty God.
God views all mankind, regardless of conduct, as depraved sinners (Ro 3:9-18). Acting moral and respectable cannot fix a person's naturally sinful nature.
The marvelous thing is that God has provided a way for some to be saved from this innate condition of sin. Jesus, holy and righteous, can stand in the place of the sinner being judged by a holy God and God will declare that sinner innocent.
But not everyone is saved from this condemning verdict. Good conduct and respectability cannot save. To be saved from the sin that convicts him, a person must see and admit his sinful state. Then he must see and admit that Jesus is righteous and the only one who can stand in his place and be found innocent.
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