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I'm sorry, Dave; at this point, I can only speculate, because I'm not aware of any solid evidence one way or the other.

I think it's pretty clear the wickedness can not exist in the Presence of God.

I do know THIS, though: Although my life on earth may not be sinless, the Lord *could* welcome me Home just the way I am right now, because He dealt with my sin at Calvary, and the righteousness of Christ has been imputed to me, and that would be the basis of His "Welcome Home!"

I'm glad to see you use this term. And "acquitted" was used yesterday. I hate to think I was holding an unfair caricature. I will try to think of ways to convince you of the need for a real change in your person, not just an imputed righteousness.

As for me, I believe that Christ did what He did to give me the power to become actually holy, not to have me considered holy.

As for me, I believe that Christ did what He did to give me the power to become actually holy, not to have me considered holy.

This is a slap in the face of God (so to speak). I know you don't mean it to be, but it IS !!! Look, Dave, to say that you want the power to become actually holy rather than be clothed with HIS righteousness is an INSULT to Jesus. He took your sin that you might have HIS righteousness. Have you ever given someone a gift, only to have them refuse to take it? What an insult it is!

I am not minimizing the importance of obedience or "holy" living; He commands us to purify our lives in 1 Jn. 3:3 and in 2 Tim 2:21f and in many other places!!!

Do NOT refuse His gift, the gift of HIMSELF as YOUR righteousness.

"God made Christ, who knew no sin, to be sin on our behalf, that we might become the righteousness of God IN HIM."

(2 Cor. 5:21)

Although the context of the following verse is speaking of Israel, "who has a zeal for God, but not in accordance with knowledge", it seems to fit you and your views, too:

"For not knowing about God's righteousness, and seeking to establish their own, they did not subject themselves to the righteousness of God. For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes [to those who don't refuse it.]"