I know what you mean.
Sin is transgression of the law.
I john 3:4
Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.
A lost person who says I will use will power (works) to not transgress the law is in fact turning from sin.
This is the modern phrase for one of the two methods of salvation the Pharisees taught.
As a believer, I can turn from a sin to deciding I was wrong and am deciding to not sin as often as I recognize it as sin. Forgiveness for restoration to fellowship still occurs based upon the reconciliation of the cross.
However, before that as an unbeliever in Christ I was shown that sin condemns and believing in the wrong savior, me. John 3:18 KJV
As one recognizes their state of condemnation, they should see their need of the real Savior.
I agree with you, Admitted sin and condemnation is distinguished from turning from sin, reformation, cleaning up the life, etc. when we explain the gospel of Jesus Christ.
The one of many examples, Ron Comfort, currently a popular one, adds works to grace.
This is the subtle devilish way of the false prophet. I made the big error of enduring a pastor who taught this for a decade of my life.
Thinking back, I spoke to him about this a number of times privately. We only went soul winning together a couple of times and he asked why I lied when I led a man to Christ. It puzzled me why he asked and he wouldn't tell me. After seeing all his assistant pastor hires and deacons who preached a false gospel, I should have repented and left. All my friends there were saved, so it was a decision I put off .
It was an IFB church. Sad thing was that all of the others in the area were calvinistic hard core work hard salvationists. Ours was pretty good before we hired a hirling.
