We are continuing the hard discussion on what happens when small children die.  John 14:6 makes clear that faith in Jesus is the only way to his Father.  By logical extension it would seem that anyone who has not accepted his offer of salvation can be in heaven, even if they died too young to comprehend such truth.  But God loves his created children.  How can he send them to hell for rejecting a Christ they were not old enough to understand?

One popular answer is the "age of accountability."  Expressed in various ways through different traditions, it reduces to the idea that each person reaches a certain "age" when they are old and mature enough to understand salvation.  From that point forward, they are accountable for such knowledge.  Prior to this age they are not, and would be in heaven if they died before reaching this life stage.  Here is a clear and logical answer to our question.

But is it biblical?  I cannot find clear reference to this concept in the Scriptures.  By absurd logical extension, the most loving thing we could do for our children before they reach this "age" would be to take their lives; then there is no risk that they could understand the gospel, reject it, and be lost.  Of course such a belief is unspeakably horrific, and would be rejected by any who hold to the "age of accountability" doctrine.  But it is nonetheless a logical conclusion of this doctrine.

Every Christian parent of a teenager knows that children eventually reach an "age of accountability" where they can understand the gospel.  But I'm not sure this theological concept guarantees their eternal life if they die before reaching such a stage.  I think it is more biblical to trust our children into the hands of their Father and Creator, knowing that he knows and loves them.  He cited them as the finest examples and exhibits of his Kingdom.  He wants us to be more like them.  How could he then reject them when they die before they understand how accept his love?

I do not intend to minimize the biblical doctrine of inherited sin by asserting that we can trust our children to their Father.  We have all inherited a sin nature from Adam (Romans 5:12-14).  This propensity to sin does not force us into rebellion against God—we must still choose to actualize such potential.  The choice is still ours.  Every human being is apparently born with such a tendency toward sin and disobedience.

But to claim that this inherited original sin places a child outside the possibility of eternal life is to reject Jesus' clear affirmation of the children brought to him.  Every child is saved by God's grace, whether they are two or 20 years old.  None deserves heaven, whether they are old enough to "sin" or not.  Grace is amazing for us all.

If you have lost a child to death, know that your child is not lost at all.  He or she is in the arms of our heavenly Father.  Let his arms shelter you, his child, as well.

Tomorrow: What happens to those who have never heard about Jesus?

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