Revelation 18:4
"And I heard another voice from heaven saying, Come out of her, My people, that ye be not partaker of her sins, and that ye receive not her plagues."
Sometimes, when you read the prophets in the Old Testament, you find yourself searching for a little window of Light because the messages can feel so dark and desperate. You might think, "Where is the LORD? Where is His Mercy?" Yet, we find comfort in knowing that the LORD will not bring final judgment and condemnation until every one of His own has been brought out. Those of His sheep still caught in false religion will be effectually called out.
Stop and think about your own testimony. We were all raised in darkness, that's how we are born, free-will idolators. We worshipped ourselves and attempted to approach God based upon our works, until He showed us our utterly desperate and lost estate. When He opens your eyes to see Christ, you will come out. He will draw you out.
Many people condemn Lot for living in Sodom and Gomorrah, but the LORD's favor was upon him. The LORD did not destroy the city until He had brought Lot out. The angel literally had to take Lot by the hand and draw him out because he lingered. There are attachments in false religion—people, relationships, acquaintances—but when the LORD teaches you, there is a separation. You cannot continue to identify with them because the LORD delivers His own: "The LORD knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations" (2 Peter 2:9).
Every one whom the LORD has redeemed, He will deliver. He causes their eyes to be opened to behold the Glory of Christ. Once you behold the Glory of Christ, nothing can hold you back. It's like the story in Pilgrim's Progress when the Spirit began to draw Christian. He literally plugs his ears and runs toward the Wicket Gate, despite his family crying out after him, because he was following the LORD's Spirit, which ultimately draws him to the cross of Christ.
"He calleth His own sheep by name, and leadeth them out" (John 10:3).
There is a drawing out, a movement, an urgency that the LORD places in the hearts of His people, in His time. We can never go back, nor will we!
"Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the LORD"
(2 Corinthians 6:17).
I personally have never understood so-called works righteousness. I guess that's because when God was pleased to redeem me by His grace I had nothing to bring to my salvation but my sin.