he saw God as a wrathful sin hating overlord because he always felt so guilty, he tried his best to not sin but couldn't make the mark.
Yes God hates sin, that is exactly what loves does it hates evil.
So much so he sent His only begotten Son to die on a cross to take it away.
First to defeat its power over us to condemn us
Second to end its rule over us and transform us.
Seriously the only way to come to such a point of view as your friend did is to think its up to you to make it all happen.
It is only up to us to believe in God and ask expectantly for his working in us to that end or that beginning if you like and start taking the steps he tells us to.
I was in the same boat as your friend once, I hated myself because I hated sin like God but I was weak and not strong.
But God said he would make me strong and held to that, for decades I held to it and now here I stand, unfinished but stronger then I ever thought possible for me.
We are Gods workmanship in Christ Jesus.
Our own works in law-keeping for removal did not save us at the start of this salvation why will they save us in middle of it, in our sanctification?
We just believe God and obey, taking the steps in faith that he calls us to.
My argument is as always, God can do what man can not.
But if you don't believe it can happen it never will for you.
It is the same as not believing God can save you cause you are such a rotten sinner.
You cant stand a straw man up next to the truth and argue against the straw man.
God is Love!
It is in and out of and through that love that we can come to the place of putting our faith in God to seek in faith the bringing about of the ceasing of sin in our lives.
Peter clearly says it is possible and intended for us in this life.
He even makes clear that it is the beginning of living rest of or lives for the Glory of God..
Who are we to deny that?
Do we start redacting scripture for fear some people will be deceived and take it the wrong way, or because some start teaching a view of God over us with a lightening bolt?