Amen, it is not ur righteousness that makes us acceptable to God, it was Jesus righteousness which makes us acceptable.
of course this does not mean we can go out and sin all we want, in fact, what child wants to go out and continue in the sin which they KNOW made them dead to begin with, let alone, who can withstand the chastening of God.
And for me this is a big issue.
Is seems many say "Bible says don't do therefore don't do, just stop it"
Those who do so pick out the biggies, murder, rape, the extreme stuff against those of us who say works do no save.
Yet they do that and neglect other things that people struggle with, even then they say the same "Dont do it"
I have read what our precious sister rosemary said above concerning her alcohol issues.
Rosemary I hope you don't me mentioning you, I do so because you are honest and real and you bring a lot to this table.
I have talked on here my issues with gambling addiction that I suffered with.
Those who say don't do have no idea why the do it.
Why did I gamble, no one ever asked me that.
So when I gambled I was waiting for punishment from God.
I started praying "Kill me so then I know where I am going"
In the end I asked God myself. Why do I gamble?
Boy what a revelation and walk. It was hard.
The reason for my gambling was not because I liked it.
The reason was because my severe upbringing and as a result escapism from it, and also a totally false concept of God.
He was a hard taskmaster was gonna beat me just like my mum and step dad.
My mum through me out at 14, fostered by a Christan family only to then be sexually abused by my foster dad.
The point I want to make here is that children of the Father are told don't do otherwise God will beat you like the dog you are.
So that's what the focus is, a hard Father.
Yet the reality is our Father wants to deal with and heal the reasons that lead to the cause.
The chastening of God is the last resort, not the first port of call.