I'm having a bit of difficulty too, but I have a feeling that someone has taken this passage in Exodus and proposed that the "sacrifice and sprinkling of blood" equates to justification or even perhaps regeneration (admittedly, a huge stretch). And thus, the question could be whether a person can obey God (acceptably) before they are saved or only after they are saved.

Now <font size="4">IF</font> my suspicion is correct and the above is what the questioner is driving at, the entire issue is a mute one since such an interpretation of the passage is erroneous. The Israelites were giving an assent to the OUTWARD keeping of the law of God, which even then it was grossly presumptuous on their part. The requirements of the law rightly understood, which we now know from the New Testament Gospels and Epistles far exceed what any man, unregenerate or regenerate can possibly do; albeit held accountable for.

The biblical truth is, NO MAN (except the Lord Jesus Christ) is capable of keeping the law perfectly, which is absolutely necessary, in his fallen state; regenerate or unregenerate!

But, it would be helpful indeed if the OP would try and clarify things a bit so that such speculative musings which I have thrown into the mix here wouldn't be necessary. <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/giggle.gif" alt="" />

In His grace,


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simul iustus et peccator

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