What of the Jews? Do they love their sin? There is a point to be made in what you have said, but there are many righteous people that hate their sins, and in some cases more so than believers in Christ do.
Take the example of Gandhi. He fasted much and prayed often to bring his body under discipline so that he didn't crave anything in this world. He even overcame the need and desire for sexual relations so that the relationship with his wife became platonic in nature.
Now I'm not saying that the way of Gandhi has anything on the way of Christ. But how many of us modern believers actually follow Christ in such a way as to put Gandhi to shame? How many of us walk in a power that makes all human effort seem weak in comparison?
And yet without Christ, what does it gain for you?
Colossians 2:20-23 EMTV
20) If you died with Christ from the basic principles of the world, why, as though living in the world, do you submit to regulations--
21) "Do not handle, nor taste, nor touch,"
22) which things are all for corruption with the using, according to the commands and teaching of men?
23) These things indeed have a reputation of wisdom in self-imposed religion, false humility, and severity on the body, but are not of any value against the indulgence of the flesh.
It's a very different
Sort of life from character building. Character building is fine, it gives you a better toolbox. Ghandi worked to improve his character, something every man can do, but it will not replace being born from God to become His family, and to walk in the works which He ordains.
I can do my good, be a doctor, save lives, be a teacher, help others to live, but if God's intent for me was to be a plumber, I've missed everything.
And I can think myself so grand . . . nothing will ever convince me of my need for the righteousness which is of God, and not of the Law.
Why would Paul count blameless righteousness of the Law as feces?
Philippians 3:6-10 KJV
6) Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.
7) But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.
8) Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,
9) And be found in him,
not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:
10) That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;
Much love!
