Can deeds of the law make you right with God?
The deeds of the law cannot make a person right with God. God says no one can approach Him on the merit of what they have done, and He says we can do nothing to merit His favor. Abraham believed God, and his believing caused God to call him righteous.
Les teaches that by the deeds of the law no one can be made right with God. He presses the point that you cannot approach God on the merit of what you have done. No matter what denominations or theologians may teach, God says we can do nothing to merit favor with Him. Les uses the illustration of old Adam as a still that keeps putting out sin; you cannot cover it up or wallpaper over it until you deal with old Adam. He also points ahead to chapter 4, where Abraham believed God, and it was his believing that caused God to call him a righteous man.