If one were to keep all of God's commandments, without ever breaking even the smallest of his laws, it would be possible to return to his presence. Since all of us sin (1 Jn 1:8), we become cursed under a broken law. Even if we break the least of all of God's commandments, we become unworthy of our Father's presence. For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all (James 2:10). Were it not for the atonement, we must be cast off forever. The law only justifies the individual who can keep it perfectly. This is why Paul said, the law worketh wrath (Rom 4:15).