I received this question via email from SC:

Was Jesus capable of sin but it was just easy for him to choose not to? Or was he incapable of sinning altogether because he’s perfect?

And do you know why Angels are capable of sinning and falling? Are they not exactly perfect?

I’m trying to better understand how perfection corresponds to free choice of sin. I was also told there’s a difference between perfection and innocence. That Adam and Eve were innocent (ignorant of evil) but not perfect like God (all knowing) before they ate the fruit. Which honestly makes sense to me.

I hope I made sense.

Thank you in advance.

Though many disagree, it is clear that Jesus was unable to sin. Here are two reasons why. First, God cannot sin (Titus 1:2; Heb 6:18; Jas 1:13). Jesus was and is God in the flesh. Thus He cannot sin. Second, perfect humanity cannot sin. Jesus was and is perfect humanity. Thus He could not sin in His perfect humanity or in His deity.

Unfallen angels are unable to sin. They were able to sin prior to Satan’s rebellion. Those who did not fall were sealed so that they cannot sin any longer. That is not directly stated in Scripture. However, since Scripture tells us nothing of any angels who sinned after Satan’s rebellion when one-third of the angels fell, that is a reasonable inference.

Believers who have died are unable to sin. You and I will not be able to sin forever once we go to be with the Lord.

Humanity and freedom do not mean the ability to sin. Humans can and will be unable to sin forever in Jesus’ kingdom, yet we will be truly free.

I long to be without sin. I’m sure you do as well. It will be great when that day comes.

Imagine one million years after the Millennium. It will have been so long since we sinned that it will seem like another lifetime. Well, it will have been another lifetime.

This life is, as Dr. Earl Radmacher liked to say, training time for reigning time. We get 60, 80, or 100 years to serve Christ now in fallen bodies. Jesus’ kingdom will be forever. We get to serve him forever then in unfallen, glorified bodies.

When I hear people say that Jesus had to be able to sin for His temptations to be real, I cringe. My Lord and Savior is, was, and always will be immutable (Heb 13:8; Jas 1:17). That means He does not change. He was just as unable to sin while on earth as He was for all of eternity up to that point and as He will be forever after that point. His incarnation did not change who He is.

My Savior and Lord is, was, and always will be impeccable. I fall before Him and worship Him because He is the Holy One.