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Death of children
Question:Anonymous: I'm having a difficult time digesting the idea that children and babies are sinners. What is considered a sin? Is there a reference in the Bible that describes what happens to children and infants who die? Do they go to heaven?Answer:Dear Anonymous, Since there are multiple questions posed and they naturally piggy-back one another, let's address one at a time. Q = What is considered a sin? A = The Westminster Larger Catechism defines sin as: "Sin is any want of conformity unto, or transgression of, any law of God, given as a rule to the reasonable creature (1 John 3:4; Galatians 3:10, 12). I don't think I need to spend much time convincing you that we are all sinners by choice. In other words, every person on the planet sins regularly and does so by choice. A couple of verses to consider are: Romans 3:23, James 1:13-15, & 1 John 1:8 But the question is about children; or younger yet, infants. Now, instead of dealing with conscious, intentional decisions, we are now dealing with our nature. Are we all sinners by nature? In other words, are we all born with an inherent will and ability to sin, or do we just pick this practice up as we age? The Scripture makes it emphatically clear that we are sinners by nature as well as sinners by choice (Psalms 51:5, 58:3, & Job 14:4, 15:14, etc.). In other words, we are not sinners because we sin, we sin because we are sinners (Romans 5:12, 18-19; Ephesians 2:3). There are few things in this life more precious and beautiful than a human baby. Yet tragically they show their inherent fallen nature as soon as they figure out how to throw their bowl of food off the high-chair and onto the floor; or when they strike another because they had the audacity to touch the doll or truck; or when they stand stiff and stuborn and protest with their favorite word, "NO!" Coincidentally just yesterday I read a quote from the late British pastor and author, J. C. Ryle (1816-1900). He said this, "You must not think it a strange and unusual thing, that little hearts can be so full of sin." Q = Do children or infants or miscarried or aborted babies go to heaven when they die? A = Scripture is surprisingly silent on this matter. There is no explicit verse addressing this directly. However, there are implicit verses that seem to indicate that infants will go to heaven if they died (this could include aborted babies or miscarried babies as well). The implicit text is 2 Samuel 12:23. In this passage King David's new born son dies and David said, "But now he is dead. Why should I fast? Can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he will not return to me." In the life of Jesus we read that he was extremely gentle with children; always permitting them to come to him, and he would bless them. He would say things like, "we must all enter the kingdom of God like little children." So in conclusion, according to Scripture, all human beings, regardless of age, are sinful in nature - from birth. And this is confirmed to us by the reality that we all sin actually and willingly. I don't know when the age of accountability is, but Scripture makes it crystal clear that when we are old enough to understand our sin and understand the Gospel, we are obligated to believe it and obey it. As for those too young to comprehend these things, God knows. What we do know about God is that He is loving, compassionate, full of mercy, gracious, holy, and just. We can rest confidently that He will act consistent with His nature when it comes to the untimely death of infants and children. Steve Chapman Tags:
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 TagsElection Resurrection Death Spiritual Growth Godhead Bible Divinity Second Coming Depravity of man Trinity Sinning saints Redemption Spiritual Appetite God of Israel God's blessing Hell The human will Commercialism Divine JudgmentMost recent entries
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Posted on May 27 2011