Let me critique Rabbi Boteach's comments:

Yes, David, that sounds to me like the abrogation of responsibility. I mean, if you say that you are not righteous, I would advise you to try and be a better person. If you gossip, stop gossiping. If you ever tell untruths, then tell the truth. If you are -- can be a better father and a better husband, then do so.

If you aren't righteous, try to be a better person? This assumes something I wouldn't assume. It assumes God isn't holy. God will just overlook your past transgressions. He will not have any need to pass judgement on them.

This is why we need atonement for our sins. To take away our guilt. Doing good works will not erase previous bad deeds. God wants us to do good deeds all the time. Think of sin as a debt. Doing good deeds is giving God what He expects. Think of that as breaking even. See the problem? If you are breaking even, you can't pay a debt.

Now, here is truly good news. The bad is that God requires righteousness. The good is that when you are in Jesus by faith, God sees Jesus instead of you. Your sin on Jesus. Jesus' righteousness on you.

And yes, God will clean up the sinner. But his cleaning you up, sanctification, is not the basis for His accepting you.