Self-effort is pursuing righteousness by trying hard to observe the right rules, regulations and rituals.
Romans 2:12
Romans 2:13
James 2:10-11
Romans 2:14-16
Romans 2:17-20
Romans 2:21-24
Romans 2:25-27

The Problem with Self-Effort: Keeping all the rules is seen as the way to get into heaven. But even when we fail to keep them, we still expect to receive a good judgement from God in the end.
There is almost always a loophole: something else we can DO to make us right when we fail to follow the other rules.
Romans 2:28-29

Summary: Salvation can’t be attained by self-effort. It’s only possible through Jesus. It’s an issue of the heart. It’s a matter of the Spirit.

Matthew 5:17-20
When it comes to reaching others, help them see how exhausting and futile self-effort really is.