The Highway Forums General Discussion Theology Discussion Forum Obedience to God

The answer to your questions are, Yes and Yes! All men are accountable to God to obey His law perfectly, without regard to one's ability. Ability does not negate Responsibility. As creatures created in the image of God men are always and forever obligated to submit to all that God wills, i.e., His "preceptive will"; that which God has revealed in regard to what He requires.

It is possible for all men to obey God's law "outwardly" (superficially) as shown here and which was noted from this passage:

Romans 2:14-15 (KJV) "For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves: Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and [their] thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;)"

We also know that: "...by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.", (Rom 3:20) And, "for the law worketh wrath..." (Rom 4:15a) And, "And the law came in besides, that the trespass might abound;..." (Rom 5:20a) The law of God can never justify anyone for no one is capable of keeping the law perfectly. And even if there was a man (except for Christ Who was born without sin) who could keep the law perfectly, it would not be sufficient to remove the imputed guilt of Adam; aka: Original Sin. It is very important to understand the "three-fold division of the law", which the Reformed Churches have historically held; moral, civil and ceremonial — (cf., Westminster Confession of Faith 19:3-5). And lastly, we must distinguish between the "two-fold use" of the law; 1) as a foundation of preaching the Gospel (see: Preaching the Law of God) to bring conviction of sin and 2) as a rule of life for the believer (see the several articles under the heading The Christian and the Moral Law.

The true believer need not become discouraged nor frustrate the grace of God given due to the inability to keep the law perfectly. To even think this way is to fall into legalism. It is the perfect Active Obedience of Christ which is imputed to the believer for righteousness (2Cor 5:21). In fact, it was God's eternal purpose in sending forth His Son to atone for those whom He predestinated to salvation that they would be holy (perfectly righteous), see Rom 8:29; Eph 1:4; 5:27; 1Cor 1:30; Col 3:12; 2Tim 1:9. Thus, it is out of a heart, changed in regeneration from one of fear (condemned before God) to one of adoration, gratitude and love (accepted of God) that a believer strives to obey the law of God knowing such is pleasing to Him. (Rom 5:1; 8:1, 29-39)

In His grace,