My experience is that the Power of Christ has transformed me in many ways. I'm not nearly the sinner I once was. But my sin nature is intact and vibrant. The old man never disappears. I've been around Christians trying to be holy and I don't like it. I'd rather be alone.
I advise Christians to have faith in the Power of Jesus Christ and that it is in you. He WILL change you and give you strength. You don't have to do it by your own strength.
I believe it is a man's revelation of his sin nature that makes him willing to come to Christ. If you then turn round and tell him he has to be good ... you set him up to fail. He knows he isn't good. He knows it all too well. If he is told he has to be holy he would laugh in your face if of the confrontive sort ... or just arrange to stay out of your way from then on. Or ... actually try it and fail.
This is a difficult subject. I'm so leery of anything that smacks of a 'works doctrine' I cannot abide telling fallen human beings that they are to be holy.
Peter was always spouting some silliness.
You've described my situation to a "T"!!
But my sin nature is intact and vibrant.
Thus; your screenname; no doubt!
I agree. The ONLY way we can be holy as God is by faith in Jesus, believing in Him who saves us by His precious shed blood. We are sanctified (set apart) and made holy because we are clothed in the righteousness of Christ through faith. We are “found in Christ not having our own righteousness” but CHRIST’S righteousness.