Could Jesus have sinned?

^{In systematic theology, there is a longstanding debate.  That debate is called "peccability vs. impeccability".  In  fundamental/orthodox/bible Christianity it is agreed that Jesus was the sinless Son of God.}

   ^{But when Jesus was tempted, could he have been capable of committing the sinful acts he was being tempted with?  Or was his will incapable of rejecting God's Will.  This was an extremely divisive debate.  THOUGH it was not as contentious since it was so fine a question that both sides recognized the value of the other side.}

^{The impeccability camp claims that since Jesus was God, He could not sin and was not truly sin.  The peccability camp claims that If Jesus incapable of sin then he did not prove to be as righteous as He claimed and the Righteousness of Christ is then called to question.  Which then calls salvation into question.} 

    ^{I hold to peccability.  Christ was capable of giving into temptation which makes His rejection of sin all the more Righteous.                                                                                                                                                                            Romans 3:20 Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin. 21} But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; ²² even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:"

     Jesus was divine and would not sin.  The divinity of Christ has not a sinful will. But the flesh of Christ was subject to death and therefore had fleshly desires to overcome.  Christ did not have a will to sin.  But he had fleshly desires that were tempting him to sin.  Were He to theoretically sin He "Jesus human nature" would have instantly died.  In fact, likely before even committing the act, allowing the logos to escape condemnation but failing to provide a sacrifice for sin. Of course Christ never had a will to commit to sin. So this never would have happened, even though it could have happened.
I have a few scriptures that should prove this viewpoint...

^{Isaiah 7:14} Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. ¹⁵ Butter and honey shall he eat, that he may know to refuse the evil, and choose the good. ¹⁶ For before the child shall know to refuse the evil, and choose the good, the land that thou abhorrest shall be forsaken of both her kings."  

    Here the Messiah is prophesied to have a specific time when he will learn to make moral choices.  Obviously, morally good choices.  But why would this be a learned behavior?  If he has to be trained to "refuse evil", then it implies that he has potential to do evil without training.

Matthew 4:1Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil. ² And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungred. ³ And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread. ⁴ But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.⁵ Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple, ⁶ and saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone. ⁷ Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.⁸ Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; ⁹ and saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me. ¹⁰ Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve. ¹¹ Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him."

  Satan knows much more than humans; he knows the scriptures. otherwise he would not know to twist them.  Thus he knows that the Son of God is "the Holy one".  He would know that the Father identified Jesus as His Son, and the Holy Spirit had personally anointed Him. So what motivation would Satan have to test an impeccable Christ?  Finally, why did the angels come to minister to Christ, if not the temptations had taken their toll on Him?

Mark 14:³² And they came to a place which was named Gethsemane: and he saith to his disciples, Sit ye here, while I shall pray. ³³ And he taketh with him Peter and James and John, and began to be sore amazed, and to be very heavy; ³⁴ and saith unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful unto death: tarry ye here, and watch. ³⁵ And he went forward a little, and fell on the ground, and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him. ³⁶ And he said, Abba, Father, all things are possible unto thee; take away this cup from me: nevertheless not what I will, but what thou wilt."

  Prior to the crucifixion, Christ "soul is exceedingly sorrowful unto death."  If Christ were incapable of sin why would he have such mental anguish?  Elsewhere it says that he was so upset that he sweated blood. This is all a product of Christ mind.  Regular humans have been capable of facing painful deaths without such agony.  It seems that the temptations for Christ to disobey were real.  Most importantly look at His prayer; He is asking very fervently of the Father if there was a way out of the crucifixion.  Now Jesus called Peter "Satan" in response to the suggestion of a cross-less Christianity. Then back at Gethsemane we see Christ admit the struggle "nevertheless not what I will". How could Christ be impeccable and not have a will in perfect agreement with the Father?  Jesus ultimately did line up his will with the Father.  There is no doubt that Jesus overcame the temptations of sin.  But the temptations were real.

Matthew 19:¹⁶ And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life? ¹⁷ And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments."

    This is a very bizarre passage if one assumes impeccability. Jesus had every right to the title "Good master.".  Christ is actually knocking Him off track.  Is he misleading the young man?  Or could it be that he was not yet in a Glorified state and did not want to confuse the lad?
John 20:¹⁷ Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God.  Once we factor in Glorification this all makes since As Christ one the victory and salvation is secured.

God Bless you and keep you.