While I don’t disagree that we are all sinners before God, that we can do nothing of ourselves and must rely on His grace for all things, since when did Piety become a bad thing? Is sanctification not the goal of the Christian? Should we not be encouraging our brothers and sisters to commit themselves to holiness and piety? Yes, holiness and sanctification make sinners uncomfortable, but isn’t that the point? Indeed, Paul tells us that to the sinner “...we are the smell of death; to the [believer], the fragrance of life. And who is equal to such a task?” Weak and frail though we are, God has chosen us to point the way to His Son. If we be not holy like He is, who will heed us?
Not to the point where piety becomes your idol.
Jane R.