Can a man keep the law?

Non-Cals often argue that God would not require of man what he is not able to do, such as believe. Non-Cals argue it would be unjust for God to punish a man for unbelief if it were impossible for him to do so.

Calvinists often respond that God gave man the law and it is impossible for man to keep the law, therefore it is not unjust for God to demand from a man what he is not able to do.

The question is, can man keep the law? Is he able? The scriptures say YES!

Luke 1:5 There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judaea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the course of Abia: and his wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elisabeth.
6 And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless.

The scriptures say that Zacharias and his wife walked in ALL the commandments and ordinances of the Lord BLAMELESS.

I am not saying that Zacharias was not a sinner. In fact, we see in this story that Zacharias did not at first believe God's promise and was struck dumb, unable to speak because he did not believe.

Nevertheless, concerning the commandments and ordinances of God, the scriptures themselves say Zacharias AND his wife kept ALL of them BLAMELESS.

So, is it really true that it is impossible for man to obey God's laws?

 

Agreed, but the scriptures themselves say he walked in ALL the commandments and ordinances of God BLAMELESS. He didn't just do some of the commandments and ordinances, he did them ALL. And he was BLAMELESS, without fault.

How does a Calvinist account for this? This was before the Holy Spirit was given to believers (John 7:39).

So, do the scriptures really say it is impossible for a man to keep the law?

This question is not about earning salvation in case someone like P4T falsely accuses me. No man can earn his salvation through works.

This thread and this question is about Total Inability.

 

You tell me, I looked up the word blameless in Strongs and it said "free from fault or defect".

So, if the scriptures are not saying Zacharias and his wife walked in the commandments and ordinances of God free from fault or defect, just what are they saying?

Are the scriptures actually saying he was sinning here? Please explain, as you do not believe me capable of understanding simple scripture.

 

I agreed from the OP he sinned, he did not believe God's promise at first.

That is not the question. The question is, was he able to perform God's commandments and ordinances. This is a question about ability.

Is it really true that it is impossible for a man to obey God's commands?

I am not asking if a man always keeps Gods commands, all men are sinners. Do not deflect, that is not the question. The question is whether man is ABLE to keep God's commands?

 

Give me a break, I started this thread. Don't you think I know why I posted this scripture? I know exactly why I posted this scripture and why. I am trying to show from scripture that Total Inability is a false doctrine.

What did I say in the OP?

If you can't be honest and accurately represent what people say, you should not participate on this board. It is one thing to disagree with folks, it is quite another to twist and misrepresent what people say.

 

Let me ask you a question P4T, you look like a healthy young fellow, do you think that you are ABLE to climb Mt. Everest?

Me, I think I could have easily when I was a young man, I was very active in many sports and in terrific shape. Now, I would probably have a heart attack half the way up (if not sooner).

I would bet you believe you could climb Mt. Everest, you have the ABILITY to do it.

But I bet you have never done it. That is another issue altogether. Just because you have never done something like climb Mt. Everest does not prove you are unable to. And just because men sin does not mean they cannot obey God's laws.

The scriptures themselves actually say not only Zacharias, but his wife Elisabeth both walked in ALL the commandments and ordinances (not just some) BLAMELESS (without fault).

So, my question is whether man is ABLE to keep God's laws, not IF he will do so.

 

Actually, the scriptures say Jesus loved this young man. And Jesus did not deny that this young man had kept the commandments. What he lacked was faith.

Mark 10:21 Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me.

Jesus didn't deny that this young man was diligent to obey God's laws. But he lacked faith in God, he trusted in riches. Jesus promised if he would give up all his possessions and come follow him he would have greater treasure in heaven. This young man was not willing to do that. He did not trust Jesus's promise of a greater reward if he gave up his riches.

But he actually did keep the commandments.

This thread is not about whether any man keeps all of God's commandments, although I can see all you Calvinists will try to steer the conversation that direction. This thread is about ABILITY.

If you cannot respond to whether man has ability, then stay out of the conversation and don't attempt to deflect.

 

You can speculate about the young rich ruler all you want, but you cannot speculate about Zacharias and Elisabeth, God's word says they walked in all the commandments and ordinances of God blameless.

You say I misinterpret Luke 1:5-6, then please explain what these verses are saying.