I'd say we were capable but unwilling (it was impossible while having a mind set on the flesh).Greetings again Jon.
So what would you say that the IDR (incarnation, death, resurrection) did to make mankind capable of being able to "accept" or " reject"? Or do you think mankind already had this capacity in their fallen state?
Peace to you brother
I look at it this way - Is God capable of lying? If we say "no" then God is certainly weaker than man, for all it'd take is to say something untrue. BUT God will not lie, He is Holy. So it is impossible for God to lue - not because God lacks the power but because of who He is.
Does man have the power not to sin? Yes, hence the guilt of sin. Man lacks the will, his mind is set on the flesh, and so it is impossible for him to please God (he needs to be born of the Spirit).